Indigenous endomycorrhizal fungus in the area contaminated Fe and Mn in South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract

Mycorrhizal fungi that are capable of adapting and resistant to heavy metal contaminated environments have received special attention for phytorhizoremediation researchers. The aim of the study was to explore indigenous mycorrhizal fungi from areas contaminated with heavy metals to be used as starter biological agents in the phytorhizoremediation program. This research was carried out in two phases, namely; rhizosphere sampling of Polypodium glycyrrhiza, Sumasang sp (local name) and Spathoglottis plicata at coordinates 2 31′57.6″S and 121 22′50.7″E, Sorowako, South Sulawesi, Indonesia; While the other phase is isolating and identifying mycorrhizal spores in the Microbiology Laboratory, Research, and Development Center for Environment and Forestry in Makassar, Indonesia. The results showed that genus Acaulospora was more dominantly found in areas contaminated with the metal of Fe and Mn, and was able to adapt and survive compared to other genera.