Potential of AM Fungi in Phytoremediation of Heavy Metals and Effect on Yield of Wheat Crop

Abstract

A pot experiment wasconducted to determine the potential of AM fungi in phytoremediation of heavymetals and its effect on yield of wheat crop. The experiment was conducted inCR Design with four replications during rabi 2012-13. Data showed no increase ingrain and shoot yields by AMF inoculation with Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn at differentlevels but increased root yield, plant height, spike length and hundred grainsweight of wheat as compared with uninoculated crop. Post-harvest soil Zn, Cu,Fe and Mn contents of 2, 4.4, 2.8 and 2.9 mg·kg-1, respectively weremaximum in uninoculated plants treated with Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn at triple ofrecommended level. No increases in plant P, N, Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn uptakes wereobserved by the inoculation of AMF when compared with uninoculated crop.Maximum plant Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn uptakes of 160.5, 206, 1914.6 and 2653 g·ha-1,respectively were recorded in uninoculated plants applied with Zn, Cu, Fe, Mnat triple of recommended levels. Wheat roots infection intensity by AMFincreased with higher AMF soil spores density. Results suggest the potential ofphytoremediation of contaminated soil to be improved by the inoculation ofcrops with AMF.