The Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Phosphate Amendement on Arsenic Uptake, Accumulation and Growth of Pteris Vittata in As-Contaminated Soil

Abstract

This study investigated the contributions of mixed arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculum—i.e., mixed populations of indigenous mycorrhiza (Glomus intraradices, Glomus geosporum, Glomus mosseae) (IM) isolated from arsenic (As) contaminated soil and non-indigenous mycorrhiza such as G. mosseae (GM), which possess metal tolerance characteristics—and the addition of phosphate rock (PR) towards the uptake and accumulation of As by Pteris vittata (As hyperaccumlator) grown in As-contaminated soil. Regardless of As levels added to soil, plant growth was substantially improved in amended treatments when compared with the control. In addition, root surface area (0 mg/kg As: 15.2 cm²; 150 mg/kg As: 16.9 cm²; 300 mg/kg As: 20.7 cm²), chlorophyll contents (0 mg/kg As: 1.16 mg/g; 150 mg/kg As: 1.46 mg/g; 300 mg/kg As: 1.81 mg/g) and As translocation factor (0 mg/kg As: 0; 150 mg/kg As: 4.29; 300 mg/kg As: 5.22) in P. vittata of PR+IM/GM were also increased. Such combination could further enhance plant growth (indicated by higher N, P and chlorophyll contents) and As uptake by P. vittata.

KEYWORDS:

• arsenic
• brake fern
• hyperaccumulator
• mycorrhizae
• chlorophyll

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors thank Dr. AOW Leung for improving the manuscript, Mr. King Young Man for technical support and the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong (HKBU-CERG 2004-05-2145/04M) for financial support.

Notes

*Arsenic removal (mg) = Plant arsenic concentration (mg/kg) in shoot x shoot biomass (mg).