Mycorrhizal and Endophytic Fungal Colonization in Arrhenatherum elatius L. Roots According to the Soil Contamination in Heavy Metals

The aim of this work was to jointly study non-mycorrhizal (dark septate fungi) and mycorrhizal (arbuscular mycorrhizae) colonization along a large range of heavy metal pollution in soil in order to determine the effective contribution of each type of endophytes in relation to heavy metal uptake and tolerance. Hence, eight sites were chosen in the mining area of northern France with respect both to a large range of heavy metal contamination (Cd, Pb, Zn) and monospecific colonization by Arrhenatherum elatius. Root colonization with both arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) and dark septate fungi (DSF) as well as spore density in rhizospheric soil were estimated in relation to soil characteristics. Mycorrhizal infestation (hyphae, arbuscules and vesicles) was adversely affected by soil pollution almost to exclusion. The intensity of colonization with DSF was very low in presence of AM in non-contaminated soils but higher in polluted soils. The effect of the fungal colonization on the heavy metal tolerance of Arrhenatherum elatius is discussed.