Influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (Glomus etunicatum) with lettuce plants under zinc toxicity in nutrient solution.

Abstract

The effects of zinc toxicity on growth, chlorophyll, total sugar and protein content and mineral content of lettuce plants infected or not by Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (Am) fungus Glomus etunicatum and treated with nutrient solution containing 0, 1.5, 3.5, 5.5, 7.5 mM ZnSO, were studied. The introduction of Zn caused a decrease in the inhibiting effect of zinc on dry weight of roots and shoots of lettuce plant infected by Am in contrary with non-Am plants. This increase observed in dry weight may be due to improvement of Phosphorous uptake by mycorrhizal fungi. The decrease in dry weight of non-Am plants may be because of inhibitory effects of zinc on growth. Chlorophyll and total sugar content decreased in both Am and non-Am plants, which indicate the toxic effect of Zn on photosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism. Mycorrhizal plants due to changing the translocation of Zn and sequestering in the hypha could elevate the effects of Zn to some extent. Total protein content increased in Am plants, probably due to induction of antioxidant enzymes and some stress proteins but reduced in non-Am plants which maybe caused by toxic effects of Zn on protein synthesis. Alleviating the severe effects of Am fungus observed in this study aroused an interest in considering the role of Am fungi in protection and elevation the sever effects of heavy metals in plants.