Differential effects of cadmium and chromium on growth, photosynthetic activity, and metal uptake of Linum usitatissimum in association with Glomus intraradices

Abstract

The current study was aimed at analyzing the differential effects of heavy metals (cadmium and chromium) and mycorrhizal fungus; Glomus intraradices on growth, chlorophyll content, proline production, and metal accumulation in flax plant (Linum usitatissimum L.). Heavy metal accumulation rate in flax varied from 90 to 95 % for Cd and 61-84 % for Cr at a concentration range of 250 to 500 ppm for both metals in 24 days of experiment. Growth and photosynthetic activity of flax reduced to an average of 21 and 45 %, respectively. However, inoculation of G. intraradices significantly increased the plant biomass even under metal stressed conditions. Additionally, mycorrhizal association also assists the Cd and Cr increased uptake by 23 and 33 %, respectively. Due to metal stress, chlorophyll contents were decreased by 27 and 45 %, while 84 and 71 % increased proline content was observed under Cd and Cr stress, respectively. The present results clearly signify the differential response and potential of flax plant towards heavy metal tolerance and accumulation that can further increase with mycorrhizal fungus.

Role of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Plant Growth Regulation: Implications in Abiotic Stress Tolerance

“…AMF also proved to be effective in restricting the high accumulation of Na, Mn, Mg, and Fe in roots (Bati et al, 2015). Several studies conducted during the last few years have shown that AMF, such as Glomus mosseae and Rhizophagus irregularis exhibited improved heavy metal translocation in the shoot (Zaefarian et al, 2013; Ali et al, 2015). Micronutrients such as Zn and Cu being diffusion limited in soils are absorbed by plants with the help of mycorrhizal hyphae.…”

Cadmium Accumulation Characteristics in Turnip Landraces from China and Assessment of Their Phytoremediation Potential for Contaminated Soils

“…The symptoms are usually characterized by growth inhibition, leaf chlorosis, metabolic block, and even plant death (Abd Allah et al, 2015; Hashem et al, 2016). Moreover, the absorbed Cd can poison other organisms, including humans, along the food chain (Amna et al, 2015; Tauqeer et al, 2016). After entering human body, Cd is selectively enriched in the kidney and liver, damaging organ functions (Wu, 2015).…”

“…However, microbial remediation alone is also associated with problems such as the strong environmental effect on microbial growth and the inherent difficulties in collecting bacteria (Wu, 2015). Therefore, phytoremediation of polluted soil has become the predominant option in recent years (Ehsan et al, 2014; Kamran et al, 2014; Amna et al, 2015). …”

Effects of microbial agents on cadmium uptake in Solanum nigrum L. and rhizosphere microbial communities in cadmium-contaminated soil

“…In fact, Proteobacteria , Actinobacteria have been shown to have high adaptability to Cd and protective ability for plants ( DeAngelis et al, 2009 ; Luo et al, 2021 ), which suggests that they might contribute to the hyperaccumulation of Cd in plants. Glomeromycota could also significantly increase plant resistance and biomass under HM stress condition ( Amna et al, 2015 ). Similarly, Ascomycota might enhance the ability of plants to absorb Cd, as well as plant growth.…”