Uptake of Heavy Metals by Mycorrhizal Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

It has been previously indicated that arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can enhance the bioremediation abilities of their host plant. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is a crop plant with some unique physiological properties, such as tolerance to salinity. However, its tolerance to other stresses such as heavy metals must be tested. Accordingly, it was hypothesized that barley can be efficiently used to treat heavy metals in symbiotic and non-symbiotic association with AM fungi. In a greenhouse experiment barley plants were inoculated with the AM species Glomus mosseae and grown in a soil polluted with cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), and lead (Pb). Relative to Cd and Co, mycorrhizal barley absorbed significantly higher amounts of Pb. AM species also significantly decreased Cd and Co uptake by barley indicating the alleviating effects of G. mosseae on the stress of such heavy metals.