Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi differentially affect the response to high zinc concentrations of two registered poplar clones

Guido Lingua, Cinzia Franchin, Valeria Todeschini, Stefano Castiglione, Stefania Biondi, Bruno Burlando, Valerio Parravicini, Patrizia Torrigiani, Graziella Berta

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The effects of a high concentration of zinc on two registered clones of poplar (Populus alba Villafranca and Populus nigra Jean Pourtet), inoculated or not with two arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus mosseae or Glomus intraradices) before transplanting them into polluted soil, were investigated, with special regard to the extent of root colonization by the fungi, plant growth, metal accumulation in the different plant organs, and leaf polyamine concentration. Zinc accumulation was lower in Jean Pourtet than in Villafranca poplars, and it was mainly translocated to the leaves; the metal inhibited mycorrhizal colonization, compromised plant growth, and, in Villafranca, altered the putrescine profile in the leaves. Most of these effects were reversed or reduced in plants pre-inoculated with G. mosseae. Results indicate that poplars are suitable for phytoremediation purposes, confirming that mycorrhizal fungi can be useful for phytoremediation, and underscore the importance of appropriate combinations of plant genotypes and fungal symbionts.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)137-147
Number of pages11
JournalEnvironmental Pollution
Volume153
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2008

Keywords

  • Arbuscular mycorrhizae
  • Phytoremediation
  • Polyamines
  • Poplar
  • Zinc

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