Mycorrhizal Colonization Affects the Survival of Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash Grown in Water Containing As(III)

Abstract

Mycorrhizal Colonization Affects the Survival of Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash Grown in Water Containing As(III)The presence of arsenic (As) in water is of great public concern. Arsenic exists in three common valence states viz., As(0) metalloid arsenic, As(III) (arsenite) and As(V) (arsenate). Arsenite [As(III)] is the most toxic form among arsenicals which, predominates in anaerobic conditions, generally in flooded soils and in the water with high BOD. Experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of As(III) on the mycorrhization in vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash) grass in hydroponics. Studies showed significant alteration in the mycorrhizal colonization in the roots of vetiver exposed to higher concentrations of As(III) starting from 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 to 5.0 mg/L prepared in 5% Hoagland nutrient solution without addition of phosphate ions. Considerable reduction in the mycorrhizal intensity (M) was observed in all the treatment sets as compared to the control suggesting a negative impact of the As(III) on the mycorrhizal association. Simultaneously, the study also showed that, As(III) is toxic to the vetiver plants having mycorrhizal association however plants with non-mycorrhizal (cleansed) roots were found to be able to survive for a longer period exposed to As(III).

Plant–microbe interaction in aquatic system and their role in the management of water quality: a review

“…Mycorrhizae also form association as endophytic symbionts with most of the aquatic plants (Sřaj-Kržič et al 2006) and enhance the uptake of P and translocation of other nutrients in the plants (Thingstrup et al 2000). Mycorrhizal associations protect the plants from toxic pollutants such as heavy metals (Srivastava et al 2010). Srivastava et al (2010) demonstrated the role of mycorrhizal association in Vetiver grass (a common wetland species of Indian subcontinent, South East Asia and Australia) protecting from the As (III) by blocking the membrane transport system of phosphorus, a chemical analogue of As (Meharg and Hartley-Whitaker 2002).…”

“…Mycorrhizal associations protect the plants from toxic pollutants such as heavy metals (Srivastava et al 2010). Srivastava et al (2010) demonstrated the role of mycorrhizal association in Vetiver grass (a common wetland species of Indian subcontinent, South East Asia and Australia) protecting from the As (III) by blocking the membrane transport system of phosphorus, a chemical analogue of As (Meharg and Hartley-Whitaker 2002). Plants and microbes in an aquatic system largely depend upon the availability of nutrient ions such as various mineral elements, P and N for their growth.…”

Advances in microbial bioremediation and the factors influencing the process

“…Generally, organisms rely upon associations with their neighbors for the sustenance of life (Badri et al 2009). Microbes also interact with other organisms within their surroundings for organic carbon, energy and shelter, such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Harrison 2005) and plant-growthpromoting rhizobia (Bais et al 2006), protecting the host organisms from several environmental toxic chemicals (Arriagada et al 2007;Srivastava et al 2010). Microbes have wider range of growing conditions and can withstand higher concentrations of chemical contaminants.…”