When the tramway sleeps, the researchers sow…

Within the framework of the biodiversity program of the city of Dijon, researchers from INRAE and the University of Burgundy (UMR Agroecology) carried out an innovative experiment on new methods of vegetalizing tramway lines as an alternative to conventional grass. The experiment consisted in the mycorrhization of the plant cover.

The symbiotic association of plants with mycorrhizal fungi increases tenfold the volume of soil exploration by the plant’s roots, facilitates its access to water, optimizes the absorption of nutrients and provides increased resistance to disease. The overall objective was to minimize the environmental impact (watering, treatments, etc.) associated with the maintenance of grassed surfaces and to promote urban biodiversity. The implementation and the analysis of the experiments had to be done at times when the tramway was not circulating, i.e. between 1 and 5 o’clock in the morning…