Document Type : Original Article
Abstract
EFFECT of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus on growth and uptake of heavy metals by basil (Ocimum basilicum) and mint (Mentha piperita) was assessed in a pot experiment. Pots were filled with sterile and non-sterile soil, wastewater treated over 40 years. The soil was seeded with basil or mint plants (inoculated or not with Glomus geosporum). After 90 days, shoot dry matter (DM) and content of N, P, Pb, Cd, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu were determined. AM increased shoot DM of both plants. Leaf N content was not affected, but P content in basil only increased with AM inoculation. Basil accumulated 109, 0.15, 4706, 199, 156 and 33 mg, whereas mint leaves accumulated 11, 0.25, 7001, 223, 117 and 28 mg kg-1 of Pb, Cd, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu, respectively. With AM concentrations of Pb, Cd, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu in basil leaves decreased by 44, 87, 22, 18, 25 and 39%, but in mint, the concentration increased by 35, 43, 13, 10, 8 and 22%, respectively.
Data indicate that mint has a higher capacity than basil for metals accumulation and that AM fungi has a significant effect on metal uptake, but is dependent on the host plant.
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