PJB-2019-687
ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI ALLEVIATE COPPER STRESS IN ELSHOLTZIA SPLENDENS
YUELING LI
Abstract
The present study investigated the differential effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) infection on growth, physiological characteristics, and resource allocation of Elsholtzia splendens in response to high Cu stress. A factorial pot experiment was designed, where E. splendens seedlings (planted in autoclaved soil) were subjected to the following four treatments: Control, Cu addition, AMF inoculation, and Cu addition plus AMF inoculation. Cu addition significantly inhibited E. splendens growth and the ability of its roots and leaves to capture resources, while AMF inoculation significantly increased both. An antagonistic effect of Cu stress and AMF inoculation was found for roots, stems, leaves, and total biomass of E. splendens. Plants inoculated with symbionts had significantly enlarged specific leaf area, Fv/Fm, and chlorophyll content compared to non-AMF treatments. The presence of AMF noticeably decreased Cu concentrations and the value of the biological concentration factor in shoots and roots, while it increased both the tolerance index and shoot P, K, Mg, and S nutrition. Furthermore, AMF treatment reduced the specific fine root length and specific fine root surface area. These results indicate that AMF mediate different tolerance strategies to alleviate Cu stress in E. splendens. This might be partially due to an alteration of resource allocation between aboveground and belowground parts, as well as changed growth patterns of the plant, and increased tolerance to Cu stress.
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