Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Phytoextraction by Corn (Zea mays) of Lead-Contaminated Soil

ABSTRACT

The role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in lead (Pb) uptake by corn (Zea mays) grown in soil supplemented with Pb was examined. Plants were subjected to four Pb levels: 0 (control); 10 (low); 100 (medium); and 500 mg L⁻¹ (high). At each Pb level, plants were grown in soil without and with fungicide (benomyl) (20 mg kg⁻¹) to suppress AMF activity. Benomyl significantly reduced AMF colonization at high, medium, and zero Pb exposures. Benomyl application resulted in significantly lower concentrations of phosphorus in leaves at low and medium Pb exposures. The benomyl-treated plants had higher Pb and manganese concentrations in leaves than plants not treated with benomyl. In addition, benomyl-treated plants had generally lower concentrations of zinc and copper in leaves than plants not treated with benomyl. These results suggest that the role of AMF in heavy metal uptake is metal specific. Based on this work, the use of benomyl on soils contaminated with Pb can be recommended in phytoextraction.

Keywords:

• arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF)
• benomyl
• corn
• fungicide
• lead contamination
• phytoextraction
• Zea mays.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We would like to thank Dr. P. Stewart for advise and Dr. C. King for assistance with chemical preparation and analysis. Last but not least, we would like to thank Dr. C. Vollrath for financial assistance.