Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Confer Enhanced Arsenate Resistance on Holcus lanatus

• Published in: The New phytologist 2002-07, Vol.155 (1), p.163-171
• Main Authors: Gonzalez-Chavez, C., Harris, P. J., Dodd, J., Meharg, A. A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi; arsenate resistance; Arsenates; Arsenic; Biological and medical sciences; Economic plant physiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Glomus mosseae; Holcus lanatus; Microbial colonization; Mosses; Mycorrhizal fungi; Parasitism and symbiosis; Phosphates; Plant physiology and development; Plant roots; Plants; Soil fungi; Soil pollution; Symbiosis; Symbiosis (nodules, symbiotic nitrogen fixation, mycorrhiza...)
• ISSN: 0028-646X; 1469-8137
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1469-8137.2002.00430.x

• The role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in arsenate resistance in arbuscular mycorrhizal associations is investigated here for two Glomus spp. isolated from the arsenate-resistant grass Holcus lanatus. • Glomus mosseae and Glomus caledonium were isolated from H. lanatus growing on an arsenic-contaminated mine-spoil soil. The arsenate resistance of spores was compared with nonmine isolates using a germination assay. Short-term arsenate influx into roots and long-term plant accumulation of arsenic by plants were also investigated in uninfected arsenate resistant and nonresistant plants and in plants infected with mine and nonmine AMF. • Mine AMF isolates were arsenate resistant compared with nonmine isolates. Resistant and nonresistant G. mosseae both suppressed high-affinity arsenate/phosphate transport into the roots of both resistant and nonresistant H. lanatus. Resistant AMF colonization of resistant H. lanatus growing in contaminated mine spoil reduced arsenate uptake by the host. • We conclude that AMF have evolved arsenate resistance, and conferred enhanced resistance on H. lanatus.