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CORESTA Congress, Paris, 2006, AP 36

Effect of arbuscular mycorrhizae on cadmium uptake by tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum)

JANOUSKOVA M.; VOSATKA M.; ROSSI L.; MARTIN F.; DONINI P.; LUGON-MOULIN N.
Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Dept. of Mycorrhizal Symbioses, Prùhonice, Czech Republic.

Cadmium (Cd) uptake by tobacco ( Nicotiana tabacum L.) varieties Basma BEK, K326 and TN90 inoculated with five arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) isolates was studied in a pot experiment. Despite low levels of root colonisation, AM symbiosis affected Cd accumulation in tobacco. Cadmium concentration in leaves was increased by inoculation with most AM isolates in the Basma BEK variety grown in a soil with low Cd availability. In contrast, Cd concentration in leaves was decreased by inoculation with selected AM isolates in K326 and TN90 grown in soils with higher Cd availability. Furthermore, leaves had significantly higher concentrations of phosphorus, nitrogen and several other essential elements in treatments where Cd was most affected. Leaf biomass was not increased. One AM isolate was identified as the most efficient in improving mineral nutrition and influencing Cd concentrations in all the three combinations of variety and soil. AM symbiosis probably affected mineral nutrition and Cd uptake of tobacco by indirect mechanisms such as stimulation of root growth or mycorrhizal plant mediated changes in chemical or biological soil properties. To evidence potential inhibitory effects of the nutrient solution on mycorrhization, the applied fertilizer was tested against a slow-release fertilizer in K326 and TN90 with selected AM strains. Again, low levels of mycorrhization were found. When compared to the corresponding controls, only some AM strains had an impact on Cd concentrations. Significant differences in Cd concentrations were found between the two fertilization treatments, especially for the K326 × soil combination.