Mycorrhizal fungal communities associated with three metal accumulator plants growing in an abandoned Pb smelting factory

BECERRA, ALEJANDRA GABRIELA; MENOYO, EUGENIA; FAGGIOLI, VALERIA; CABELLO, MARTA; SALAZAR, MARÍA JULIETA

BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY

SOC BRASILEIRA MICROBIOLOGIA

Año: 2023

1517-8382

Plants associated with mycorrhizal fungi has the ability to establish on metal-contaminated soils playing an important rolein phytoremediation programs. The objective of this study was to examine the presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi(AMF) (spores density, diversity, indicator species, and root colonization) and dark septate endophytic fungi (DSE fungalroot colonization) in three metal accumulator plants (Sorghum halepense, Bidens pilosa, and Tagetes minuta) growing in soilswith high Pb content. The Pb content in AMF spores and plant biomass were also assessed. Rhizosphere soil samples weretaken from the three dominant plant species at six study sites surrounding the abandoned Pb smelter and one uncontaminatedsite. The three studied plants were colonized by AMF and DSE fungi. A total of 24 AMF morphospecies were present in thePb-contaminated areas. The AMF indicator species in the control site (non-contaminated area) was Funneliformis mosseaeand in the most contaminated site were Gigaspora decipiens and Denticustata biornata. There was an increase in mycorrhizalvariables such as the number of AMF vesicles, spore number, Pb content in AMF spores and plant biomass and DSEcolonization (in Sorghum) with increasing soil Pb contamination, but a decrease in AMF diversity and richness was found.For upcoming soil restoration projects, it is crucial to understand the mycorrhizal fungi as well as the plant community thathas adapted to the highly contaminated environment.