A method for promoting ecological restoration plant building based on mycorrhizal fungi and biological soil crust

Abstract

The application provides a method for promoting the planting of ecological restoration plants based on the combination of mycorrhizal fungi and biological soil crust, comprising the following steps: mixing the mycorrhizal fungi, biological soil crust, nutrient medium, growth regulating material and water retaining agent according to a certain proportion to obtain an ecological restoration plant planting base material; mixing the ecological restoration plant planting base material with water and ecological restoration plant seeds to obtain a mud-like spraying material; and spraying the mud-like spraying material onto a region to be ecologically restored. The mycorrhizal fungi and the biological soil crust are combined for use, the potential functions of ecological restoration of the two are exerted, the planting speed of the ecological restoration plants is improved, the fungal infection rate of the plant root system is promoted, the stress resistance of the plant growth is enhanced, the survival rate and coverage of the surface biological crust of the region to be ecologically restored are improved, and then the bare area of the region to be ecologically restored can be significantly reduced, and the effects of water and soil conservation and ecology of the surface are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to ecological restoration engineering, specifically to a method for promoting the establishment of ecological restoration plants based on the combined use of mycorrhizal fungi and biological soil crust. Background Technology

[0002] The construction of infrastructure such as transportation, mining, hydropower projects, and urban development has led to extensive mountain excavation. Currently, the demand for ecological restoration technologies for various types of earth-rock slopes, hardened slopes, and rock slopes is constantly increasing. With the widespread application of various technologies in arid and semi-arid regions and the increasing drought periods caused by extreme weather, coupled with the initial stage of slope protection, the steep terrain of the slope leads to rapid surface runoff and evapotranspiration in the substrate. Furthermore, the thin substrate layer, low water storage capacity, and high rock permeability make vegetation highly susceptible to drought stress. Water deficit caused by drought stress has become a major limiting factor for vegetation restoration and reconstruction (see appendix). Figure 2 Drought leads to a decrease in the survival rate of vegetation on slopes. Seed and microhabitat limitations faced by plants in the early stages of their life cycle affect population renewal and community building, thereby influencing vegetation patterns and ecological functions.

[0003] Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMFs) are the most representative plant symbiotic fungi, capable of forming symbiotic systems with over 70% of terrestrial plants. Numerous studies have shown that AMF symbiotic systems can enhance the host plant's adaptability to various abiotic stresses, regulate plant growth and physiological changes, and establish hyphal connections between the root systems of different plants. Therefore, AMFs play an important ecological role in improving plant mineral nutrition, promoting plant growth and development, enhancing plant stress resistance, and regulating nutrient cycling.

[0004] Biocrusts (BSCs) are complex land cover formed by cryptogams such as cyanobacteria, lichens, mosses, and microorganisms, as well as other related organisms, cementing them with surface soil particles through secretions, mycelia, and rhizoids. Studies have shown that BSCs increase soil resource heterogeneity, influence surface material distribution, and promote the settlement of seed plants, thereby affecting the pattern and dynamics of surface matter and energy, and significantly impacting ecosystem functions. The alterations to the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the surface caused by biocrusts during their growth and development affect the germination, emergence, and seedling establishment of preserved seeds.

[0005] Studies both domestically and internationally have found that the presence of biocrusts significantly increases the absorption of nitrogen (N) by vascular plants, and also increases the absorption of other nutrients such as Mg, K, Cu, and Zn to varying degrees. Simultaneously, mycorrhizal fungi establish a vast mycorrhizal network system among vascular plants, biocrusts, and soil. Through this network, nutrients such as C, N, and P can be exchanged between the biocrusts, plants, and soil, providing more available nutrients for plant growth. How to combine arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and biocrusts for ecological restoration plant establishment is a key research focus. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address current technical problems, the main objective of this invention is to provide a method for promoting the establishment of ecological restoration plants based on the combined use of mycorrhizal fungi and biological soil crusts. This invention mixes the ecological restoration plant establishment substrate with water and ecological restoration plant seeds to obtain a mud-like spray material. This spray material is then applied to the area to be ecologically restored. After maintenance, it can significantly increase the seed germination rate, promote the fungal infection rate of plant roots, enhance the plant's resistance to adverse conditions, and improve the survival rate and coverage of the biological crust on the surface of the area to be ecologically restored. This, in turn, can significantly reduce the exposed area of ​​the area to be ecologically restored, thereby increasing the surface water and soil conservation effect and ecological benefits.

[0007] To achieve the above-mentioned technical features, the objective of this invention is as follows: a method for promoting the establishment of ecological restoration plants based on the combined use of mycorrhizal fungi and biological soil crust, comprising: mixing mycorrhizal fungi, biological soil crust, nutrient substrate, growth regulator, and water-retaining agent in a certain proportion to obtain an ecological restoration plant establishment substrate; mixing the ecological restoration plant establishment substrate with water and ecological restoration plant seeds to obtain a mud-like spray material; and spraying the spray material onto the area to be ecologically restored.

[0008] Preferably, the mycorrhizal fungi include one or a mixture of *M. moses* and *M. endorrhizospora*.

[0009] Preferably, the biological soil crust includes two or more of the following: creeping lichen, true lichen, large feather lichen, gourd lichen, large gray lichen, snake moss, and cyanobacteria.

[0010] Preferably, the nutrient substrate is a mixture of planting soil, organic matter, vermiculite, organic fertilizer, cement, and biochar.

[0011] Preferably, the growth regulator is a mixture of humic acid, compound amino acids, calcium acetate, and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose.

[0012] Preferably, the water-retaining agent is a superabsorbent polymer.

[0013] Preferably, the specific proportion of the nutrient substrate based on the planting soil is as follows: the mass ratio of planting soil, organic material, vermiculite, organic fertilizer, cement, and biochar is 100:6~12:9~15:15~20:2~4:2~6.

[0014] Preferably, the organic material includes one or more of garden litter, agricultural crop straw, sawdust, coconut coir, etc.

[0015] Preferably, the specific ratio of the growth regulator is: humic acid, compound amino acids, calcium acetate, and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose in a mass ratio of 35-45:1-5:2-5:5-8.

[0016] Preferably, the water-retaining agent is a white granular superabsorbent polymer with a mesh size of 100-150.

[0017] Preferably, the specific ratio of the ecological restoration plant establishment substrate based on the nutrient substrate is as follows: the mass ratio of mycorrhizal fungi, biological soil crust and nutrient substrate, growth regulator and water-retaining agent is 1.2-2:8-15:100:2-6:6-10.

[0018] Preferably, the spray material is a mixture of the ecological restoration plant establishment substrate, water, and ecological restoration plant seeds, with the mass ratio of the ecological restoration plant establishment substrate to water being 2 to 3:1.

[0019] Preferably, the ecological restoration plant seeds are grass, shrub, and vine seeds commonly used in slope ecological restoration, and the amount used is set at 25-40 grams per square meter based on the spraying area. Preferably, the spray thickness of the sprayed material is 2 to 10 cm.

[0020] The present invention has the following beneficial effects: 1. This invention mixes the substrate for establishing ecological restoration plants with water and seeds of ecological restoration plants to obtain a mud-like spray material. This material is sprayed onto the area to be ecologically restored. After maintenance, it can significantly increase the germination rate of seeds, promote the fungal infection rate of plant roots, enhance the stress resistance of plant growth, and improve the survival rate and coverage of surface biological crusts in the area to be ecologically restored. In turn, it can significantly reduce the exposed area of ​​the area to be ecologically restored and increase the surface soil and water conservation effect and ecological effect.

[0021] 2. This invention, through the combined action of mycorrhizal fungi and biocrusts, can have the following effects on ecological restoration plants: 1) increasing seed germination rate and establishment; 2) increasing fungal infection rate of plant roots; 3) enhancing plant stress resistance; 4) effectively improving the coverage of biocrusts on the surface after slope ecological restoration, promoting plant growth; and 5) effectively increasing the combination of slope ecological restoration techniques. Therefore, the combined application of biocrusts and mycorrhizal fungi provides a new approach for slope ecological restoration. Attached Figure Description

[0022] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 This study investigated the plant growth on an ecological restoration slope following the drought in the Yangtze River basin caused by extreme weather in 2022 (plants withered and fell off after the drought, and the establishment and survival rate of surface plants decreased significantly).

[0025] Figure 3 Soil biocrust cultivated for this invention.

[0026] Figure 4 The survival rate of Cassia seeds after germination under different treatment groups under drought conditions according to the present invention is shown in gray line: control group; orange line: soil biological crust group using only; blue line: group combining mycorrhizal fungi and biological soil crust.

[0027] Figure 5 This shows the changes in the growth of Cassia seeds over time under different treatment groups according to the present invention.

[0028] Figure 6 This invention describes the effect of different treatments of AMF on the root infection rate of tall fescue in vegetated concrete (Note: CK: control group without inoculation; Ri: group inoculated with Rhizomyces nephrolepis fungi alone; Fm: group inoculated with Rhizomyces mosieboldii fungi alone; FR: group inoculated with two kinds of mycorrhizal fungi; C: vegetated concrete group; C0: group without cement; SD: severe drought group; MD: moderate drought group; WW: normal water group).

[0029] Figure 7 This invention investigates the effect of AMF on the soluble sugar content of tall fescue in vegetated concrete under different treatments.

[0030] Figure 8 These are experimental photographs showing the growth of tall fescue under the combined treatments of this invention.

[0031] Figure 9 This is a photomicrograph showing the mycorrhizal fungal infection in the root system of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 10 This invention relates to the ground vegetation and moss biocrust colonization. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The embodiments of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] Example 1: This invention provides a method for promoting the establishment of ecological restoration plants based on the combined use of mycorrhizal fungi and biological soil crust, comprising: mixing the mycorrhizal fungi, biological soil crust, nutrient substrate, growth regulator, and water-retaining agent in a certain proportion to obtain an ecological restoration plant establishment substrate; wherein the mycorrhizal fungi include *Tetranychus mosie* (… Funneliformismosseae ) and root endophytic cysts ( Rhizophagusintraradices The soil biocrusts mentioned include *Lysimachia foenum-graecum* (…). Plagiomniumcuspidatum ), true moss ( Bryumargenteum ), large feather moss ( Thuidiumcymbifolium ), gourd moss ( Funariahygrometrica ), large gray moss ( Hypnumplumaeforme ), snake moss ( Conocephalumconicum The nutrient substrate comprises planting soil, organic matter, vermiculite, organic fertilizer, cement, and biochar; the growth regulator comprises humic acid, compound amino acids, calcium acetate, and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose; and the water-retaining material comprises superabsorbent polymer.

[0035] In this embodiment, the ecological restoration plant establishment substrate is preferably mixed with water and ecological restoration plant seeds to obtain a mud-like spraying material. This spraying material is then sprayed onto the area to be ecologically restored using a hydroseeding machine. The preferred mass ratio of the ecological restoration plant establishment substrate to water is 2-3:1. The ecological restoration plant seeds are commonly used grass, shrub, and vine seeds for slope ecological restoration. The hydroseeding machine is a commonly used hydroseeding machine in the field of slope ecological restoration, ensuring that the spraying material adheres evenly and with sufficient strength to the slope surface.

[0036] In this embodiment, the mycorrhizal fungi include *Rhizocarpus moses* and *Rhizocarpus endorrhizosporus*. The present invention does not specifically limit the source of the mycorrhizal fungi; they can be obtained by collecting and propagating them from ecological restoration plots or purchased commercially. Furthermore, when the two are used in combination, there is no specific limitation on the mixed mass of the two mycorrhizal fungi; any mass of mixture is acceptable.

[0037] In this embodiment, the soil biocrusts include *Lysimachia foetida*, *Bryum verticillatum*, *Bryum macrocarpa*, *Bryum cucumeris*, *Bryum gracilis*, *Bryum sericeum*, and cyanobacteria. This invention does not specifically limit the source of these *Lysimachia foetida*, *Bryum macrocarpa*, *Bryum cucumeris*, *Bryum sericeum*, and cyanobacteria; they can be obtained from wild collection and artificial cultivation, or purchased commercially. Furthermore, when two or more of the above species are used in combination, there is no specific limitation on the mixing mass of *Lysimachia foetida*, *Bryum macrocarpa*, *Bryum cucumeris*, *Bryum sericeum*, *Bryum sericeum*, and cyanobacteria; any mixing mass is acceptable.

[0038] Preferably, the *Lysimachia foenum-graecum*, *Bryum verticillatum*, *Bryum macrocarpa*, *Bryum urticaria*, *Bryum macrocarpa*, and *Bryum scabra* described in this invention are artificially cultivated, including: collecting seed sources from the wild or purchasing commercial seed sources, and then artificially cultivating various soil biological crusts (with attached) in cultivation trays.Figure 3 Once the various types of biological crusts have grown to a length of 0.5–3 cm, they are harvested and placed in a cool, ventilated cabinet to air dry, thus obtaining air-dried biological crusts.

[0039] Preferably, the soil biological crust is obtained by drying and crushing two or more of the above-mentioned biological soil crusts. In this invention, the air-drying process ensures that the soil biological crust is in a dormant stage, maintaining good metabolic function, and can quickly recover its proliferative capacity and improve the growth rate of the soil biological crust in later applications.

[0040] In this embodiment, the nutrient substrate is a mixture of planting soil, organic material, vermiculite, organic fertilizer, cement, and biochar. Preferably, the mass ratio of the planting soil, organic material, vermiculite, organic fertilizer, cement, and biochar is (based on the planting soil): 100:6~12:9~15:15~20:2~4:2~6. Preferably, the organic material includes one or more of garden litter, agricultural crop straw, sawdust, coconut coir, etc.; when any two or more of the organic materials are preferred, they can be mixed in any mass ratio. Agricultural crop straw includes corn stalks, rice straw, rice husks, etc.; the organic fertilizer, cement, and biochar are not specifically limited and can be commercially available qualified products.

[0041] In this embodiment, the growth regulator is preferably a mixture of humic acid, compound amino acids, calcium acetate, and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose; preferably, the mass ratio of humic acid, compound amino acids, calcium acetate, and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose is 35-45:1-5:2-5:5-8. The humic acid, compound amino acids, calcium acetate, and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose are not specifically limited and can be commercially available qualified products. In this embodiment, the humic acid and compound amino acids have biostimulatory effects, promoting plant cell division and proliferation, promoting soil biocrust formation, and promoting plant root growth; the calcium acetate has anti-corrosion and pathogen-inhibiting effects; and the sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, after mixing, readily exhibits cementing properties upon contact with water, promoting the formation of a good structure in the substrate material.

[0042] In this embodiment, the water-retaining agent is preferably a superabsorbent polymer. It is preferably white granules with a diameter of 100-150 mesh, and the source is not specifically limited; any commercially available qualified product is acceptable.

[0043] In this embodiment, the spray material includes mycorrhizal fungi, biological soil crust and nutrient substrate, growth regulator and water-retaining agent, and the preferred mixing mass ratio (based on nutrient substrate) is: 1.2~2:8~15:100:2~6:6~10.

[0044] In this embodiment, it is also preferred to mix the ecological restoration plant establishment substrate with water and ecological restoration plant seeds, wherein the mass ratio of the ecological restoration plant establishment substrate to water is preferably 2 to 3:1, to obtain a mud-like spray material; preferably, the thickness of the spray material is 2 to 10 cm, more preferably 4 to 6 cm.

[0045] In this embodiment, the ecological restoration plant seeds are commonly used grass, shrub, and vine seeds for slope ecological restoration. The source is not specifically limited; commercially available qualified products are acceptable. Preferred ecological restoration plant seeds in this embodiment include cassia seed, tall fescue, indigofera tinctoria, yellow locust, and bermudagrass, etc., and one or a mixture of several are used. In this embodiment, the seed dosage is 10-25g / m². In this embodiment, the survival rate of the ecological restoration plant seeds after planting is over 65%. Their roots form a symbiotic relationship with mycorrhizal fungi, forming a composite surface vegetation cover layer with the soil biological crust, promoting rapid and continuous establishment of near-surface vegetation on the slope.

[0046] The ecological restoration planting method provided by this invention is preferably suitable for the ecological restoration of various types of rock, soil, mixed soil and rock slopes, as well as artificially lined slopes. It is also suitable for the ecological restoration of slopes that have already undergone ecological restoration but have experienced surface vegetation degradation or bald patches due to various reasons (such as...). Figure 2 ).

[0047] The present invention, after spraying the sprayed material onto the area to be ecologically restored, preferably includes maintenance management, such as covering the slope surface with non-woven fabric or straw mats for 30-60 days. During the maintenance period, the sprayed substrate is kept sufficiently moist to promote soil biocrust formation and the growth and establishment of plant seeds.

[0048] Example 2: To verify the application effect, particularly the germination effect, of the method for promoting ecological restoration plant establishment based on the combined use of mycorrhizal fungi and biocrusts proposed in this invention, a pot experiment was conducted. *Morchella mossicae* (a type of fungus) was selected as the target fungus. Funneliformismosseae Fm) was selected as the source of mycorrhizal fungi, and creeping lichen (Fm) was chosen. Plagiomniumcuspidatum ), true moss ( Bryumargenteum ), large gray moss ( HypnumplumaeformeThe source of the bio-soil crust was moss, approximately 1.5 cm in length, which was dried, crushed, and mixed to form the bio-soil crust. A nutrient substrate was formed by mixing planting soil, organic matter, vermiculite, organic fertilizer, cement, and biochar in a mass ratio of 100:6:10:16:2:4, with the organic matter being a mixture of crushed corn stalks and sawdust. A growth regulator was formed by mixing humic acid, compound amino acids, calcium acetate, and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose in a mass ratio of 45:3:2:8. A 100-mesh superabsorbent polymer was used as the water-retaining agent. Based on the nutrient substrate, the mycorrhizal fungi, bio-soil crust, nutrient substrate, growth regulator, and water-retaining agent were uniformly mixed in a mass ratio of 1.2:15:100:6:10 to form an ecological restoration plant establishment substrate. This substrate was then mixed with water at a mass ratio of 2:1, with Cassia tora (50 seeds per pot) added as the test plant, resulting in a mud-like spray material.

[0049] The potted plant experiment included three groups: a control group, a group using only soil biocrust, and a group using a combination of mycorrhizal fungi and soil biocrust, with several pots in each group. Approximately 2.0 kg of planting soil was pre-filled into each pot as a base, and then a 4 cm thick layer of a mud-like spray material was sprayed onto it, completing the potting process. A non-woven fabric cover was then placed over the sprayed surface, and subsequent care and management began, ensuring adequate watering to support seed germination. After three days of care, seed germination was monitored and recorded to calculate the germination rate.

[0050] After a 20-day seed germination monitoring experiment, the germination rate of cassia seeds in the combined group of mycorrhizal fungi and soil biocrust reached 54%, while the group using soil biocrust alone reached 42%, significantly higher than the control group's 28%. (Appendix) Figure 4 , 5 ).

[0051] Implementation 3: To verify the application effect of the proposed method for promoting the establishment of ecological restoration plants based on the combined use of mycorrhizal fungi and bio-soil crust, a pot experiment was conducted, focusing on the mycorrhizal infection and stress resistance of the ecological restoration plants. *Morchella mosierifolia* was selected as the target fungus. Funneliformismosseae Fm) and root endophytic cysts ( Rhizophagusintraradices Ri) was selected as the source of mycorrhizal fungi, and creeping lichen (Ri) was chosen. Plagiomniumcuspidatum ), large feather moss ( Thuidiumcymbifolium ), gourd moss ( Funariahygrometrica ), large gray moss ( Hypnumplumaeforme ), snake moss ( ConocephalumconicumMycorrhizal fungi and cyanobacteria were used as sources of biocrusts. Moss, approximately 1.5 cm in length, was dried, crushed, and mixed to form the biocrust. A nutrient substrate was formed by mixing planting soil, organic matter, vermiculite, organic fertilizer, cement, and biochar in a mass ratio of 100:12:9:20:4:2. The organic matter consisted of a mixture of crushed corn stalks, sawdust, and coconut coir. A growth regulator was formed by mixing humic acid, compound amino acids, calcium acetate, and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose in a mass ratio of 35:5:5:6. A 120-mesh superabsorbent polymer was used as the water-retaining agent. Based on the nutrient substrate, the mycorrhizal fungi, biocrust, nutrient substrate, growth regulator, and water-retaining agent were uniformly mixed in a mass ratio of 2:8:100:4:6 to form an ecological restoration plant establishment substrate. This substrate was then mixed with water at a mass ratio of 2.5:1, with tall fescue as the test plant. The dosage was calculated based on a spraying area of ​​25 g / m². The resulting mixture was a mud-like spray material.

[0052] The pot experiment was designed as follows: CK: control group without inoculation; Ri: group inoculated with *Rhizocarpus mossus* fungus alone; Fm: group inoculated with *Rhizocarpus mossus* fungus alone; FR: group inoculated with two types of mycorrhizal fungi; C: vegetation concrete group; C0: group without cement; SD: severe drought group; MD: moderate drought group; WW: normal water group, with several pots in each group. Approximately 2.0 kg of planting soil was pre-filled into each pot as a base, and then a 6 cm thick slurry-like spray material was sprayed onto it, completing the potting process. Non-woven fabric was then placed over the sprayed surface, and subsequent maintenance and management were initiated, maintaining three different water supply conditions to verify the mycorrhizal infection and stress resistance characteristics of tall fescue. Sixty days after the onset of drought stress, the mycorrhizal infection rate of the tall fescue roots and the content of soluble sugars in the leaves were measured.

[0053] The results showed that the mycorrhizal infection rate was lowest in the severe drought (SD) group and highest in the moderate drought (MD) group. Under conditions without cement addition, compared to severe drought (SD), the mycorrhizal infection rates of single inoculation (Ri), Fm, and double inoculation (FR) in moderate drought (MD) were significantly higher. Comparing different inoculation methods, overall, the mycorrhizal infection rate of the single inoculation (Fm) group was significantly higher than that of the single inoculation (Ri) group and the mixed inoculation (FR) group. The single inoculation (Ri) group had the lowest mycorrhizal infection rate. Only under severe drought conditions was the mycorrhizal infection rate of the mixed inoculation (FR) group higher than that of the single inoculation (Fm) group. Soluble sugar content was significantly reduced under moderate drought and normal moisture conditions. Under severe drought conditions, the content in the concrete (C) group was significantly higher than that in the un-cemented (C0) group. The soluble sugar content was higher in the un-inoculated control group under severe drought, moderate drought, and normal moisture conditions. Under low to moderate drought conditions, alkalinity mitigated the effects of drought, leading to a decrease in soluble sugar content. However, under severe drought, the soluble sugar content increases rapidly to alleviate the damage caused by stress to plants (see appendix). Figure 6, 7 (8) The infection rate of AMF in plants decreased with increasing soil drought, but the infection rate in roots was higher in the moderate drought group than in the normal water group, indicating that moderate drought can promote the growth and reproduction of mycorrhizae and their infection of plant roots. Plants rely on mycorrhizal symbiosis to improve water absorption under drought conditions, thereby enhancing the stress resistance of plant roots. At the same time, soluble sugars in plants are osmotic regulators that can reduce the damage to cells caused by environmental stress by increasing intracellular solute concentration and preventing excessive cell dehydration. With increasing drought, the content of soluble sugars increased significantly, indicating that drought and alkaline environmental stress caused oxidative damage to cell membrane structure, thereby activating the osmotic regulation mechanism. The increase in soluble sugar content maintained the turgor pressure of cells under stress and alleviated the damage of drought to cell membranes.

[0054] Example 4: To verify the application effect of the proposed method for promoting ecological restoration plant establishment based on the combined use of mycorrhizal fungi and biocrust, focusing on the field ecological restoration effect and plant establishment success, a field slope simulation experiment was conducted. *Morchella mossicae* was selected as the target fungus. Funneliformismosseae Fm) and root endophytic cysts ( Rhizophagusintraradices Ri) was selected as the source of mycorrhizal fungi, and creeping lichen (Ri) was chosen. Plagiomniumcuspidatum ), true moss ( Bryumargenteum ), large feather moss ( Thuidiumcymbifolium ), gourd moss ( Funariahygrometrica ), large gray moss ( Hypnumplumaeforme ), snake moss ( ConocephalumconicumThe bio-soil crust is formed from cyanobacteria and moss, with a length of approximately 2.5 cm. The dried and crushed moss is then mixed with other materials to form the bio-soil crust. A nutrient substrate is formed by mixing planting soil, organic matter, vermiculite, organic fertilizer, cement, and biochar in a mass ratio of 100:10:12:20:3:4. The organic matter is a mixture of rice husks, sawdust, and coconut coir. A growth regulator is formed by mixing humic acid, compound amino acids, calcium acetate, and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose in a mass ratio of 40:3:5:5. A 150-mesh superabsorbent polymer is used as the water-retaining agent. Based on the nutrient substrate, the mycorrhizal fungi, bio-soil crust, nutrient substrate, growth regulator, and water-retaining agent are uniformly mixed in a mass ratio of 2:15:100:6:8 to form an ecological restoration plant establishment substrate. This substrate is then mixed with water in a mass ratio of 2.5:1. Seeds of commonly used grasses, shrubs, and vines for slope ecological restoration are added, with the dosage calculated based on a spraying area of ​​40 grams per square meter. A slurry-like spraying material was prepared. A small highway slope in Yichang City, a gently sloping, highly weathered rock formation, was selected. After pretreatment of the slope surface, a standard slope ecological restoration procedure was followed, including the installation of netting. The aforementioned slurry-like spraying material was then sprayed onto the slope surface using a hydroseeding machine, applied in multiple applications to a thickness of 10 cm. Maintenance management was implemented, using non-woven fabric or straw mats to cover the slope surface for 60 days. During the maintenance period, the sprayed substrate was kept sufficiently moist to promote soil biomass formation and the growth and establishment of plant seeds.

[0055] One year after construction, monitoring was conducted on the mycorrhizal fungal infection of underground roots, as well as the surface moss crust and vegetation cover. The results showed good mycorrhizal infection in the roots of the ecological restoration plants, indicating a healthy symbiotic relationship between the plants and mycorrhizal fungi. Simultaneously, the surface moss cover exceeded 70%, and the overall coverage of the ecological restoration plants exceeded 80%.

[0056] The above-described embodiments are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various improvements and adjustments without departing from the principles of the present invention, and these improvements and adjustments should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for promoting the establishment of plants for ecological restoration based on the combined use of mycorrhizal fungi and biological soil crust, characterized in that, include: Mycorrhizal fungi, biological soil crust, nutrient substrate, growth regulator, and water-retaining agent are mixed in a certain proportion to obtain an ecological restoration plant establishment substrate. The ecological restoration plant establishment substrate is then mixed with water and ecological restoration plant seeds to obtain a mud-like spray material, which is then sprayed onto the area to be ecologically restored. The biogenic soil crust includes two or more of the following: creeping lichen, true lichen, large feather lichen, gourd lichen, large gray lichen, snake moss, and cyanobacteria; The growth regulator is a mixture of humic acid, compound amino acids, calcium acetate, and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose; The specific ratio of the growth regulator is as follows: the mass ratio of humic acid, compound amino acids, calcium acetate, and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose is 35-45:1-5:2-5:5-8. The specific ratio of the ecological restoration plant establishment substrate based on the nutrient substrate is as follows: the mass ratio of mycorrhizal fungi, biological soil crust and nutrient substrate, growth regulator and water-retaining agent is 1.2-2:8-15:100:2-6:6-10.

2. The method for promoting the establishment of ecological restoration plants based on the combined use of mycorrhizal fungi and biological soil crusts according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mycorrhizal fungi include one or a mixture of *M. moses* and *M. endorrhizospora*.

3. The method for promoting the establishment of ecological restoration plants based on the combined use of mycorrhizal fungi and biological soil crusts according to claim 1, characterized in that: The nutrient substrate is a mixture of planting soil, organic matter, vermiculite, organic fertilizer, cement, and biochar.

4. The method for promoting the establishment of ecological restoration plants based on the combined use of mycorrhizal fungi and biological soil crusts according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water-retaining agent is a superabsorbent polymer.

5. The method for promoting the establishment of ecological restoration plants based on the combined use of mycorrhizal fungi and biological soil crust according to claim 3, characterized in that: The specific proportion of the nutrient substrate based on the planting soil is as follows: the mass ratio of planting soil, organic material, vermiculite, organic fertilizer, cement, and biochar is 100:6~12:9~15:15~20:2~4:2~6; The organic materials include one or more of garden litter, agricultural crop straw, sawdust, and coconut coir.

6. The method for promoting the establishment of ecological restoration plants based on the combined use of mycorrhizal fungi and biological soil crusts according to claim 4, characterized in that: The water-retaining agent is a white granular superabsorbent polymer with a mesh size of 100-150.

7. The method for promoting the establishment of ecological restoration plants based on the combined use of mycorrhizal fungi and biological soil crust according to claim 1, characterized in that: The spraying material is a mixture of the ecological restoration plant establishment substrate, water, and ecological restoration plant seeds, with the mass ratio of the ecological restoration plant establishment substrate to water being 2 to 3:

1. The ecological restoration plant seeds are commonly used grass, shrub, and vine seeds for slope ecological restoration, and the usage amount is set at 25-40 grams per square meter based on the spraying area. The spray thickness of the sprayed material is 2 to 10 cm.

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