Utilization of plants colonized by mycorrhizal fungi to reduce Lead in the soil: Greenhouse study

Utilization of plants and soil microbes in rejuvenating heavy metal-polluted soil is one of interesting topic and environmental-friendly technology. The study aimed to evaluate the role of arbuscular mycorrhiza (Glomus intraradices) in promoting growth of Vetiver zizanioides and Cynodon dactylon under various concentration of Lead (0, 100, 400 and 800 mg.kg-1). All fungal cultures were grown in greenhouse for ten weeks. Several plant growth promoting parameters and Lead content were examined. Tested plants were able to grow under all lead concentrations while V. zizanioides showed the highest growth than C. dactylon. Lead content decreased in all treatments while V. zizanioides also showed the highest accumulation of lead than C. dactylon. The results showed that inoculation of mycorrhiza were able to lower negative impacts of lead to plants with varying degree. (paper)