Role of Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Inoculation of Zea mays on Heavy Metals Tolerance.

THE STUDY evaluated the physiological responses of maize plant inoculated with vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM) isolated from polluted site and growing in heavy metal (Cd or Pb) polluted soil. Chlorophyll, soluble carbohydrate, soluble protein, nutrient elements (P and N) content and phosphatase activity were analyzed. The phosphatase activity in inoculated plants was significantly increased in comparison to the non-inoculated ones. In addition, the contents of N, P, chlorophyll, total soluble carbohydrates and protein were significantly increased in plants inoculated with mycorrhiza grown in heavy metal ( Cd or Pb) contaminated soil in comparing with the non-inoculated ones. Therefore, it can be concluded that the VAM inoculation is capable to alleviate the damage caused by heavy metal (Cd or Pb) on maize plants that maintain the growth and this could be related to nutrient status offered by VAM. Isolation of heavy metal tolerant VAM fungi can be a potential biotechnical tool for inoculation of plant to enhance its heavy metal tolerance.