The effect of amendments on Lolium perenne roots arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi colonization when cultivated in contaminated soil

Abstract

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi that colonize the roots of plants growing on lands contaminated by heavy metals may influence the phytostabilization process reducing the translocation of metals to the aboveground parts of the plant. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of soil amendments (lime and lignite) on the concentration of the bioavailable form of heavy metals (CaCl2 extraction) in soil and on the colonization of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in the roots of Lolium perenne when cultivated in contaminated soil. During the experiment, the bioavailability of Pb, Cd, and Zn in soil was significantly reduced after application of the amendments, causing an increase of L. perenne shoot dry biomass. It was observed that the higher dose of lime (0.5%) resulting in amplified values of relative mycorrhizal intensity. However, independently of the dose, the treatments increased the occurrence of arbuscules in L. perenne roots, with the highest value observed after the application of 0.25% lime with 5% lignite. The results for the first time present the effect of lime and lignite application on the L. perenne roots colonization by Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi indicating the increase of occurrence of arbuscules. These findings suggest that in order to explain the different responses of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi to the applied treatment further investigations are needed to identify the spore morphology. The results of the experiment were implemented to stabilize heavy metals during remediation of a spoil heap in Ruda Śląska, Poland.

The inevitability of arbuscular mycorrhiza for sustainability in organic agriculture—A critical review

“…It can only help plants prevent the availability of such metals, and the metal would remain in the system. Moreover, there is evidence in the literature regarding AMF assistance in accumulating heavy metals in plants (Gavrilescu, 2021;Ai et al, 2022;Chen et al, 2022;Szada-Borzyszkowska et al, 2022). Therefore, intensive experimental studies are required to identify and standardize the use of metal-stress-alleviating species of AMF concerning specific crops and soils to overcome plant metal stress in heavy metal-contaminated fields.…”

Potential of bioaugmentation of heavy metal contaminated soils in the Zambian Copperbelt using autochthonous filamentous fungi

“…Nevertheless, more research is required to optimize the utilization of fungi to remove metal ions from polluted soil and water. Until recently, research into soil bioremediation with filamentous fungi focused primarily on their biodiversity and tolerance ( Ahmad et al, 2012 ; Szada-Borzyszkowska et al, 2021 ). Even though fungi are understudied in Zambia, the country boasts a large variety of fungi, and the present study will contribute to the global comprehension of indigenous fungi.…”