Effect of Glomus Intraradices on Physiological and Biochemical Traits of Wheat Grown in Nickel Contaminated Soil

ABSTRACT

This study was undertaken to evaluate the role of mycorrhizal fungi application on mitigating adverse effects of nickel (Ni) in wheat. The experiment was conducted using four levels of Ni (0, 60, 120 and 180 mg per kg of soil) and two levels of mycorrhizal fungi application (with and without Glomus intraradices). Ni stress significantly decreased total dry weight per plant and total chlorophyll. By contrast, proline, superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity, malondialdehyde (MDA), and the accumulation of Ni in the leaves and roots increased on account of Ni treatments. In addition, mycorrhizal fungi application increased total dry weight per plant and total chlorophyll as well as the accumulation of Ni in the roots. Mycorrhizal fungi application could reduce proline, SOD enzyme activity, MDA and the accumulation of Ni in the leaves. In general, the results suggest that mycorrhizal fungi application reduces the harmful effects of Ni stress in wheat.

KEYWORDS:

• Antioxidants
• heavy metals
• inoculation
• mycorrhiza
• osmolite

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Islamic Azad University for funding the project.

Declaration of interest

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.