Arbuscular Mycorrhizae Effects on Heavy Metal Uptake by Corn

Maximizing uptake of soil-borne metals into plants is important for successful phytoremediation. Arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) have been shown previously by our group to sequester metals in the roots of plants and prevent translocation to the shoot. If AM colonization of roots can be reduced, it may be possible to increase metal uptake into plants, thus increasing the efficiency of phytoremediation. The fungicide Benomy® was applied to a Pb-contaminated soil and seeded to corn (Zea mays). Because soil pH affects metal solubility, two pHs were also examined. Colonization of roots by AM was significantly decreased by application of Benomyl to soil, but only at the higher soil pH. Benomyl increased the concentration of several elements, including Pb, in shoots. However, the total Pb content in the shoot decreased due to the reduced shoot weight associated with Benomyl application.