Variation in community structure of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi associated with a Cu tolerant plant—Elsholtzia splendens

Little is known about the characteristics of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) community in the roots of host plants growing on heavy metal contaminated sites. The objectives of this study were to examine the community structure of AMF associated with the roots of a copper (Cu) tolerant plant—Elsholtzia splendens in a Cu mining area in southeastern Anhui Province, China. Molecular techniques were used to analyze AMF community composition and phylogenetic relationship in E. splendens roots sampled from three Cu mine spoils and two adjacent reference areas. Results obtained showed that root colonization and AMF diversity were very low and negatively correlated with total and extractable Cu concentrations. All the DNA sequences recovered belonged to the genus of Glomus. The principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the AMF community composition varied remarkably among different sites and was related closely to soil properties, especially Cu concentrations. The distribution pattern of AMF species in various sites suggested the degree of AMF tolerance to Cu contamination. The unique AMF species that presented exclusively in heavily contaminated sites need to be further examined for potential application in phytoremediation of metal contaminated soils.     

The development of arbuscular mycorrhiza in two simulated stages of spoil-bank succession

A greenhouse experiment based on a dual mode of mycorrhizal inoculation simulated the formation of mycorrhizal symbiosis at two different stages of plant succession on coalmine spoil banks. The model plants were inoculated either with propagules of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) Glomus mosseae BEG95, which represented the initial stages of succession, or were provided with the pre-established extraradical mycelium (ERM) network of the same AMF isolate, which simulated later succession stages. The plant species used – non-mycotrophic Atriplex sagittata and Sisymbrium loeselii, and mycotrophic Tripleurospermum inodorum, Calamagrostis epigejos and Elytrigia repens – represented succession dominants at those sites. Even though the grasses were colonised in both mycorrhizal treatments, the presence of an established ERM network increased the intensity of their colonisation and arbuscular abundance. No trace of colonisation of non-mycotrophic plants was found in the treatment inoculated with propagules. Surprisingly, marked colonisation, including abundant arbuscules, was observed when non-mycotrophic plants were grown in the presence of a pre-established ERM network. In A. sagittata, arbuscules were found at maturity and senescence of the plants after 16 weeks of growth. In S. loeselii, however, the arbuscules were found at the vegetative stage of the leaf rosette after 8 weeks and then completely disappeared during the following weeks. When the ability of propagules and ERM to induce mycorrhizal colonisation is compared, it seems that the established mycelium probably has an enhanced potential to colonise roots of plants, even if the plants belong to species usually not hosting mycorrhizal fungi.     

Growth and Metal Accumulation of Mycorrhizal Sorghum Exposed to Elevated Copper and Zinc

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) alter heavy metal acquisition by higher plants and may alter plant response to soil-contaminating heavy metals. Two communities comprised of Glomus intraradices and G. spurcum were investigated for their influence on copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) resistance of Sorghum bicolor. One community was isolated from a Cu- and Zn-contaminated soil (AMF-C) and one consisted of isolates from non-contaminated soil (AMF-NC). Non-mycorrhizal (NM) sorghum plants were also included. The two community ecotypes differed in their capacity to protect sorghum from Cu and Zn toxicity and exhibited differential metal uptake into hyphae and altered heavy metal uptake by roots and translocation to plant shoots. AMF-C reduced Cu acquisition under elevated Cu conditions, but increased Cu uptake and translocation by sorghum under normal Cu conditions, patterns not exhibited by AMF-NC or NM plants. Hyphae of both fungal ecotypes accumulated high concentrations of Cu under Cu exposure. AMF-C exhibited elevated hyphal Zn accumulation and stimulated Zn uptake and translocation in sorghum plants compared to AMF-NC and NM plants. Differences in metal resistance between fungal treatments and between mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants were not related to differences in nutrient relations. The enhanced Cu resistance of sorghum and altered patterns of Cu and Zn translocation to shoots facilitated by AMF isolated from the metal-contaminated soil highlight the potential for metal-adapted AMF to increase the phytoremediation potential of mycotrophic plants on metal-contaminated environments.     

Improved growth and Cu tolerance of Cu excess-stressed white clover after inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

The effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus, Glomus intraradices, on growth and copper (Cu) tolerance of white clover (Trifolium repens) were investigated in soils with different Cu amounts. The AM inoculation increased plant biomass and the total or bound Cu concentrations in shoots and roots but decreased the total Cu in soils and the exchangeable Cu in shoots, roots and soils at all Cu levels. Mycorrhizal plants had higher levels of root phosphorus and shoot zinc (Zn) at lower Cu levels and more nitrogen and Zn in roots and potassium, calcium and magnesium in shoots and roots at all Cu addition levels. Additionally, AM inoculation enhanced urease, acid phosphatase and catalase activities in rhizosphere soils and mycorrhizal roots showed higher levels of peroxidase, catalase, proline and soluble sugar at all Cu addition levels. These results indicate that mycorrhizal white clover is potentially suitable for Cu phytoremediation based on greenhouse studies.     

过量铜在两个柑橘品种幼苗中的分布特征及根细胞壁响应机制

  【目的】  探究过量铜在两个柑橘品种幼苗组织水平和亚细胞水平上的分布特征以及根细胞壁对铜毒害的响应机制,以揭示柑橘耐铜毒害机理,为优化不同柑橘品种铜养分管理提供科学依据。  【方法】  以砂培的雪柑(Citrus sinensis)和沙田柚(Citrus grandis)实生苗为试验材料,进行连续18周不同浓度铜处理,即Cu 0.5 μmol/L (对照)和300 μmol/L (过量铜)。处理结束后,分析铜在柑橘幼苗不同组织水平(主根、侧根、茎和叶)、侧根亚细胞水平(细胞壁、细胞器和可溶性部分)以及侧根细胞壁多糖组分(果胶、半纤维素Ⅰ、半纤维素Ⅱ和纤维素)上的分布特征;采用透射电镜(TEM)以及傅里叶变换红外光谱(FTIR),分析柑橘侧根细胞壁微结构变化(厚度、化学基团构成等)。  【结果】  1) 组织水平上,不论是对照还是过量铜处理的柑橘苗,侧根是铜分布的主要部位,且过量铜处理的沙田柚侧根铜含量显著高于雪柑。对照组的雪柑和沙田柚侧根铜分布率分别为57.32%和51.31%;过量铜处理后,雪柑和沙田柚侧根铜分布率分别提高到90.87%和91.99%。相反,过量铜处理显著降低了两个柑橘品种幼苗茎和叶的铜分布率。2) 在侧根亚细胞水平上,细胞器是铜在对照组柑橘苗的主要分布部位。对照组的雪柑和沙田柚侧根细胞器铜分布率分别为58.61%和39.26%;过量铜处理后,雪柑和沙田柚侧根细胞器的铜分布率分别降低到14.34%和11.49%。与对照相比,过量铜处理显著提高了两个柑橘品种幼苗侧根细胞壁和可溶性部分的铜含量,且过量铜处理的沙田柚侧根细胞壁铜含量显著高于雪柑。3)与对照相比,过量铜处理显著提高了两个柑橘品种幼苗侧根细胞壁各多糖组分的铜含量。其中,对照组的雪柑和沙田柚侧根细胞壁果胶铜分布率分别为44.69%和37.15%;过量铜处理后,雪柑和沙田柚侧根细胞壁果胶铜分布率分别提高到98.45%和98.48%。但过量铜处理的两个柑橘品种幼苗侧根细胞壁上的半纤维素Ⅰ、半纤维素Ⅱ和纤维素中的铜分布率显著降低。4)分级提取细胞壁并结合TEM分析表明,过量铜处理显著提高两个柑橘品种幼苗侧根细胞壁的提取率以及细胞壁厚度,且过量铜处理的沙田柚细胞壁提取率与细胞壁厚度均显著高于雪柑。5) FTIR分析表明,沙田柚侧根细胞壁果胶、纤维素和蛋白质等成分上羟基、羧基和氨基官能团参与了铜的吸附和固定。  【结论】  亚细胞水平上,300 μmol/L过量铜处理的柑橘苗侧根可溶性部分和细胞壁是铜的主要分布部位,细胞壁果胶对铜的固定降低了铜向地上部的运输。提高细胞壁含量、增厚细胞壁以及促进细胞壁对铜的吸附可能是沙田柚幼苗耐铜性强于雪柑的主要原因。     

Bedeutung der arbuskulären Mykorrhiza (AM) für die Schwermetalltoleranz von Luzerne (Medicago Sativa L.) und Hafer (Avena sativa L.) auf einem klärschlammgedüngten Boden

Effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on heavy metal tolerance of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and oat (Avena sativa L.) on a sewage-sludge treated soil In pot experiments with a sewage sludge treated soil, the influence of two arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) isolates of Glomus sp. (T6 and D13) on plant growth and on the uptake of heavy metals by alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and oat (Avena sativa L.) was investigated. Alfalfa showed an increase of biomass with mycorrhizal infection only to a small extent. In oat AMF inoculation increased the growth of both root and shoot by up to 70% and 55% respectively. Mycorrhization raised the P-content and -uptake in alfalfa, but not in oat, in both roots and shoots. Mycorrhizal alfalfa showed lower Zn-, Cd- and Ni-contents and uptake in roots and shoots. The root length was significantly decreased in mycorrhizal alfalfa plants (up to 38%). The translocation of heavy metals into the shoot of mycorrhizal alfalfa was slightly increased. Mycorrhizal infection of oat led to higher concentrations of Zn, Cd and Ni in the root but to less Zn in the shoot. The translocation of heavy metals to the oat shoot was clearely decreased by mycorrhizal colonisation. This may be based on the ability of fungal tissues to complex heavy metals at the cell walls, thus excluding metals from the shoot. This conclusion is supported by the enhanced root length (up to 78%) of mycorrhizal oat plants in this experiment. The mycorrhizal infection seemed to protect plants against heavy metal pollution in soils. It was obvious that different host plants reacted in different ways.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi of Ammophila arenaria (L.) Link: Spore abundance and root colonisation in six locations of the European coast

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are common organisms in the rhizhosphere of plants in coastal sand dunes where they play a key role in the establishment, growth and survival of plants. This study presents a quantitative analysis of the AMF associated with Ammophila arenaria, the most important sand-fixing species in the foredunes of Europe, in six locations along the western European coast. Spore abundance and root colonisation by AMF were estimated in July 2003, October 2003 and April 2004. The number of spores varied significantly with time and location. A clear peak of sporulation in autumn was found for three of the northern sites, but no pattern was detected in the southern sites. Root colonisation showed no seasonal pattern, despite differences between sampling times. Both hyphal coils and arbuscules were observed inside the roots, indicating colonisation by more than one AMF species. No correlation was found between root colonisation and spore number, or between AMF abundance and soil fertility. We conclude that: (a) spore production is driven by climatic conditions in the studied northern sites and by plant phenology in the studied southern sites; and that (b) root colonisation is independent of climate, phenology and soil fertility in the studied locations.     

Root colonisation by arbuscular mycorrhizal, fine endophytic and dark septate fungi across a pH gradient in acid beech forests

Colonisation by root endophytes can be beneficial to plants growing on acid, nutrient-poor soils. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can supply herbs with nutrients and may give protection against aluminium toxicity. Two other root colonising fungi, fine endophytes (FE) and dark septate fungi (DSE), are less well known but are potentially of benefit to their host plant. AM fungi are the most prevalent symbionts in herbs at neutral to acidic soil pH. At extremely low pH, fungal growth can be limited and AM colonisation is usually rare. Fine and dark septate endophytes, on the other hand, have been observed more often under these conditions. In order to relate endophyte colonisation to a gradient in soil pH, we investigated root colonisation by AM, FE and DSE in Maianthemum bifolium, Galium odoratum, Mercurialis perennis and Stellaria nemorum, from a range of acidic beech forests. With decreasing pH, colonisation by AM decreased, whereas the other two endophytes increased. AM and FE colonisation were inversely correlated in Maianthemum bifolium. We compared changes in root colonisation with those in chemical composition of soil and leaf samples and found a positive correlation between leaf magnesium concentrations and the presence of DSE in Galium odoratum. Aluminium concentration in Maianthemum bifolium tended to be lower when FE colonisation was high, suggesting a possible role for the fungi in plant protection against Al. We suggest that FE and DSE may replace AM fungi in herbaceous vegetation at extremely low pH, counteracting some of the negative effects of high soil acidity on plants.     

EFFECT OF THE ECTOMYCORRHIZAL FUNGUS PAXILLUS INVOLUTUS ON GROWTH AND CATION (POTASSIUM,CALCIUM, AND MAGNESIUM) NUTRITION OF PINUS SYLVESTRIS L. IN SEMI-HYDROPONIC CULTURE

A semi-hydroponic culture was used to compare growth and cation nutrition of mycorrhizal (Paxillus involutus) and non-mycorrhizal Scots pine seedlings. When roots and hyphae grew together, concentrations and contents of macronutrients in needles and roots were not significantly different between mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants. When grown in two separate compartments, root potassium (K) concentrations, concentrations and contents of calcium (Ca) in needles and roots, needle nitrogen (N) concentrations, total N content and contents of root K and Mg were significantly reduced in mycorrhizal plants. Whereas ¹⁵N abundance increased in roots of mycorrhizal plants. The results indicated that the extraradical mycelium of the fungus strain used was able to transport N to the plant but did not contribute to long-term cation uptake and growth of host plants. An insufficient supply of macro-elements [N, phosphorus (P)] may account for the reduced growth of mycorrhizal plants and the differences in cation uptake between mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants.     

丛枝菌根真菌(Glomus caledonium)对铜污染土壤生物修复机理初探

利用盆栽试验,研究了丛枝菌根真菌(Glomus.caledonium)在不同程度铜污染土壤上对玉米苗期生长的影响。结果表明,即使在土壤施铜量达150mg/kg时,菌根真菌对玉米仍有近55%的侵染率;接种菌根真菌,能显著促进玉米根系的生长。菌根玉米的根系生物量和根系长度,平均较未接种处理分别提高108.4%和58.8%;接种处理的植株地上部生物量达到每盆(3株)10.58g,显著高于不施铜的非菌根玉米。这些结果表明,丛枝菌根真菌对铜污染具有较好的抗性;并且由于菌根的形成,使宿主植物明显地改善了对磷的吸收和运输,并能通过抑制土壤酸化、降低土壤可溶态铜的浓度等机制,增强宿主植物对铜污染的抗(耐)性。在150mg/kg施铜水平时,与非菌根玉米相比,菌根玉米地上部和根系铜浓度分别降低24.3%和24.1%,吸铜量分别提高了28.2%和60.0%,表明菌根植物对铜污染土壤具有一定的生物修复作用。     

Mycorrhizal alleviation of acid soil stress in the sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas)

It is not known why sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) cultivated in tropical regions tolerates acid soil. Here, we report the involvement of mycorrhizal symbiosis in this tolerance. Plants were grown in root-boxes filled with either acidic soil (pH 4.2) or the same soil amended with lime (pH 5.2) for 30 d in a growth chamber. In the inoculated treatments, the percentage of root length colonized by Gigaspora margarita was not affected by soil pH (23±9% at pH 4.2 vs. 30±12% at pH 5.2). The root and shoot dry weights of the non-mycorrhizal plants at pH 4.2 were 27 and 35%, respectively, of those at pH 5.2. The root and shoot dry weights of the mycorrhizal plants at pH 4.2 were 70 and 51% of those at pH 5.2. Growth promotion in mycorrhizal plants was significant only at pH 4.2 (2-fold increase in whole plant dry weight), but not at pH 5.2. As a result, no significant difference was detected in whole plant dry weight between the mycorrhizal plants at pH 4.2 and non-mycorrhizal plants at pH 5.2. The mycorrhizal plants at pH 4.2 showed reduced toxic symptoms of Mn (brown specks on mature leaves) and Al (poor root growth) compared to non-mycorrhizal ones, but tissue concentrations of P, K and Ca did not increase in mycorrhizal plants. We assume that the mycorrhizal colonization can reduce toxic effects of those elements while the exact mechanisms should be further investigated.     

Temporal variation outweighs effects of biosolids applications in shaping arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi communities on plants grown in pasture and arable soils

Landspreading of biosolids (treated sewage sludge) in agroecosystems is a common waste management practice worldwide. Evidence suggests biosolids may be detrimental to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF); however, previous studies focused on arable systems and often unrealistically high biosolids application levels. We investigated the effects of biosolids on AMF communities in grassland and arable agroecosystems, in the context of the natural seasonal dynamics of AMF community composition and diversity. A pasture and arable system under commercial farming management were amended annually with two different types of biosolids, applied at levels meeting current European Union regulations, in a factorial, replicated field-scale plot experiment. AMF root colonisation and community composition were measured in Lolium perenne roots from the pasture and Trifolium repens roots growing in arable soil across the seasons of two years. AMF community compositions were assessed by terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses. Biosolids had no significant effect on AMF root colonisation or community composition in either agroecosystem. Soil chemical analyses indicated several changes in the top 0–5 cm layer of the pasture soil, including small increases in heavy metal concentrations in biosolids relative to control plots. Temporal AMF dynamics were detected in soils from both agroecosystem indicating that the effect of seasonality outweighed that of biosolids application.     

Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation on cadmium accumulation by different tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) types

The effect of arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) on cadmium (Cd) uptake by tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) was studied in a pot experiment. Three commercial varieties, Basma BEK, K326 and TN90, representing three distinct tobacco types, were each grown in a different soil with nutritional conditions matching as closely as possible their requirements for field production. Cd concentrations in these soils were within the background range. Each variety was either non-mycorrhizal or inoculated with one of five AM fungal isolates. Cd concentration in leaves was decreased by inoculation with selected isolates in the K326 and TN90 variety grown in acidic soils. In contrast, it was increased by inoculation with most isolates in the Basma BEK variety grown in a basic soil with low Cd availability. Besides, plants of all three varieties had significantly higher leaf concentrations of phosphorus and nitrogen in some inoculated treatments. The percentage of root colonisation was mostly low in the inoculated treatments. In the Basma BEK and TN90 variety, the tested AM fungal isolates differed in their ability to colonise roots, but no correlation was found between the root colonisation of an isolate and its effects on the Cd concentrations in tobacco leaves. One isolate influenced most pronouncedly Cd concentrations and improved mineral nutrition in all the three combinations of variety and soil despite its low colonisation levels. AM symbiosis probably affected Cd uptake of tobacco by indirect mechanisms such as stimulation of root growth or mycorrhizal plant mediated changes in chemical or biological soil properties.     

Water status and stomatal behaviour of cowpea,Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp,plants inoculated with two Glomus species at low soil moisture levels

The effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on water status and stomatal behaviour of cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. cv. B89-504, under water-stressed conditions in the greenhouse were studied. The 3 × 2 experimental design included two levels of mycorrhizal colonisation (Glomus mosseae, Glomus versiforme) and non-mycorrhizal control treatment and two soil moisture levels (well-watered pots and pots allowed to dry). Relative water content and leaf water potential values were higher in well-watered mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants than in water-stressed mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants. AM species had no significant effect on leaf osmotic potential, stomatal conductance and leaf transpiration in both well watered and water-stressed plants. The values of stomatal conductance and leaf transpiration were high during the vegetative stage and low during the flowering stage. These responses which can be related to the age of the plant suggest that mycorrhizal colonisation did not affect stomatal closure of cowpea plants during water stress. The decrease in plant growth and dry matter production in both mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants shows that drought resistance in cowpea was unaffected by mycorrhiza in the vegetative phase.     

铜对小白菜的毒性效应及其生态健康指标

以小白菜地上部分及根系重量、叶绿素值(SPAD值)以及与抗逆性有关的丙二醛(MDA)、超氧化物歧化酶活性(SOD)、脯氨酸含量等作为毒性指标,研究了04～00.mg/kg外源铜对青紫泥小白菜生长的影响,并应用“生态剂量”概念计算青紫泥栽培小白菜的铜污染安全指标及食品卫生指标。结果表明,低浓度铜(200.mg/kg)则造成小白菜减产,400.mg/kg的外源铜使小白菜减产84%;铜污染使根系重量下降表现出与地上部分同样的趋势。SPAD值随铜污染浓度的增加而呈线性下降;铜污染浓度低于100.mg/kg有促进根体积、根长度、根表面积增加的趋势,但超过200.mg/kg的铜浓度则显著降低根长、根体积和根表面积。在与重金属污染引起的抗逆性有关的生理生化指标中,脯氨酸最为敏感,铜浓度小于50.mg/kg或大于200.mg/kg都能显著影响脯氨酸含量及SOD活性;与脯氨酸的变化一样,高浓度铜增加了MDA含量;青紫泥铜污染的临界指标为171.mg/kg。     

Microbial colonisation of roots as a function of plant species

Fifteen plants species were grown in the greenhouse on the same soil and sampled at flowering to obtain rhizosphere soil and root material. In both fractions, the data on fungal and bacterial tissue obtained by amino sugar analysis were compared with the total microbial biomass based on fumigation-extraction and ergosterol data. The available literature on glucosamine concentrations in fungi and on muramic acid concentrations in bacteria was reviewed to prove the possibility of generating conversion values for general use in root material. All microbial properties analysed revealed strong species-specific differences in microbial colonisation of plant roots. The root material contained considerable amounts of microbial biomass C and biomass N, reaching mean levels of 10.9 and 1.4 mg g⁻¹ dry weight, respectively. However, the majority of CHCl₃ labile C and N, i.e. 89 and 55% was root derived. The average amount of ergosterol was 13 μg g⁻¹ dry weight and varied between 0.0 for Phacelia roots and 45.5 μg g⁻¹ dry weight for Vicia roots. The ergosterol content in root material of mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plant species did not differ significantly. Fungal glucosamine was converted to fungal C by multiplication by 9 giving a range of 7.1-25.9 mg g⁻¹ dry weight in the root material. Fungal C and ergosterol were significantly correlated. Bacterial C was calculated by multiplying muramic acid by 45 giving a range from 1.7 to 21.6 mg g⁻¹ dry weight in the root material. In the root material of the 15 plant species, the ratio of fungal C-to-bacterial C ranged from 1.0 in mycorrhizal Trifolium roots to 9.5 in non-mycorrhizal Lupinus roots and it was on average 3.1. These figures mean that the microbial tissue in the root material consists on average of 76% fungal C and 24% bacterial C. The differences in microbial colonisation of the roots were reflected by differences in microbial indices found in the rhizosphere soil, most strongly for microbial biomass C and ergosterol, but to some extent also for glucosamine and muramic acid.     

Response of Pinus Sylvestris Seedlings to Cadmium and Mycorrhizal Colonisation

Effects of Cd and mycorrhizal colonisation on seedling growth and Cd accumulation in Pinus sylvestris seedlings were studied. While colonisation by Suillus bovinus improved shoot growth, colonisation by Paxillus involutus had no effect on growth of seedlings. There was no Cd-ameliorating effect of colonisation in terms of either shoot or root growth. Colonisation by P. involutus did not decrease Cd transport from roots to shoots, whereas colonisation by S. bovinus significantly reduced the level of Cd in shoots in the 100 mg Cd kg^-1 treatment. The proportion of healthy mycorrhizal root tips of S. bovinus-inoculated seedlings was reduced as a result of Cd addition. However, no such effect was found in P. involutus-inoculated seedlings.     

Growth and tissue composition of rice grown in soil treated with inorganic copper,nickel, and arsenic

Abstract

Arsenic (As), copper (Cu), and nickel (Ni) are known to be toxic to plants. To evaluate their two and three way interaction effects on growth and tissue composition of rice (Oryza sativa L.), a short‐term greenhouse experiment was conducted. Four levels of As, three levels of Cu, and three levels of Ni were added to soil, alone and in all possible combinations, in a completely randomized block design. The biomass and Cu, Ni, and As concentrations of both shoots and roots were determined after rice was grown under flooded conditions for 57 days. As indicated by the analysis of variance, both shoot and root biomass were significantly decreased by the application of Ni, Cu, and As. Over the ranges of metal application rates used in this study, the effects of Ni, Cu, and As on the growth of rice plants were not independent of each other. In terms of toxicity to rice, a synergistic interaction existed between Cu and Ni while those between Ni and As, and Cu and As were antagonistic. A quadratic polynomial model adequately represented the effects of soil applied Cu, Ni, and As on rice growth. Plant tissue concentrations of Ni and Cu were also described by quadratic models, and the coefficients in these models clearly indicated that Cu and Ni competed with one another for uptake by rice. The presence of As enhanced the concentration of Cu and Ni in rice tissue. Tissue As concentration was a second order function of applied As and was not affected by addition of the other elements to the soil.     

Effects of iron plaque on roots of rice on growth and metal concentration of seeds and plant tissues when cultivated in excess copper

Abstract

Deposition of iron (Fe) plaque on roots of rice before exposure to excess of copper (Cu) was found to lessen the toxic effects of Cu. In the excess of Cu, plants with Fe plaque had significantly greater dry weight of roots and leaves, longer leaves, and roots, and higher concentration of Fe in leaves than plants without plaque. In the excess of Cu, plants without Fe plaque had more leaves showing chlorosis than plants with plaque. Iron plaque on roots appeared to be beneficial for seed formation, since plants with plaque grown without exposure to excess Cu had highest seed weight, although differences were not significant. In the excess Cu solution, plants with plaque had significantly more Fe in seeds and more Cu in roots and in the DCB (dithionite‐citrate‐bicarbonate) wash than plants without plaque.     

Time-course of heavy metal uptake in maize and clover as affected by root density and different mycorrhizal inoculation regimes

A pot experiment was conducted to test the effect of three microbial regimes on the time course of heavy metal uptake in clover and maize from an industrially polluted soil. The three treatments included: (1) an intact flora of bacteria and fungi, including indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi together with soil microfauna; (2) the indigenous bacterial/fungal flora except AM fungi, reintroduced into sterilized soil; or (3) the same bacterial/fungal flora plus an AM fungus. For the final harvest, two pot sizes were included to assess the effect of root density. Plant uptake of P and heavy metals varied according to plant species, harvest time and soil treatment. For both plant species, shoot concentration of Zn, Cd and Cu decreased and Ni increased with plant age. Plants growing in sterilized soil with reintroduced AM fungi generally grew better, but contained higher concentrations of heavy metals than those colonized by indigenous AM fungi. Plants with mycorrhiza frequently contained more P, Zn, Cd, Cu and Pb in roots and shoots compared to nonmycorrhizal plants. Elevated root/shoot concentration ratios of P and metals indicate a sequestration of metal phosphates in mycorrhizal roots. Mycorrhizal performance was influenced by root density. At low root densities, metal concentrations in mycorrhizal plants were reduced, whereas it had no effect at high root densities when the entire soil volume was efficiently exploited by roots. We conclude that root density data are essential for interpretations of the influence of AM on metal uptake in plants.