Repository logo
 

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
  • Biochemical and molecular mechanisms of plant-microbe-metal interactions: relevance for phytoremediation
    Publication . Ma, Ying; Oliveira, Rui S.; Freitas, Helena; Zhang, Chang
    Plants and microbes coexist or compete for survival and their cohesive interactions play a vital role in adapting to metalliferous environments, and can thus be explored to improve microbe-assisted phytoremediation. Plant root exudates are useful nutrient and energy sources for soil microorganisms, with whom they establish intricate communication systems. Some beneficial bacteria and fungi, acting as plant growth promoting microorganisms (PGPMs), may alleviate metal phytotoxicity and stimulate plant growth indirectly via the induction of defense mechanisms against phytopathogens, and/or directly through the solubilization of mineral nutrients (nitrogen, phosphate, potassium, iron, etc.), production of plant growth promoting substances (e.g., phytohormones), and secretion of specific enzymes (e.g., 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase). PGPM can also change metal bioavailability in soil through various mechanisms such as acidification, precipitation, chelation, complexation, and redox reactions. This review presents the recent advances and applications made hitherto in understanding the biochemical and molecular mechanisms of plant-microbe interactions and their role in the major processes involved in phytoremediation, such as heavy metal detoxification, mobilization, immobilization, transformation, transport, and distribution.
  • Zinc accumulation in Solanum Nigrum is enhanced by different arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi
    Publication . Marques, Ana P. G. C.; Oliveira, Rui S.; Rangel, António O.S.S.; Castro, Paula M.L.
    Solanum nigrum was found to proliferate in sediments with high levels of metal pollution. The effect of Zn on plant growth and tissue metal accumulation was assessed. The response of the plant to the inoculation with four different isolates of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) (Glomus sp. BEG140, Glomus claroideum, Glomus mosseae and Glomus intraradices) was studied. While the isolates of AMF did not have a significant (P < 0.05) influence on mycorrhizal colonisation, increasing Zn concentration to high levels (500 and 1000 mg kg 1) induced significant (P < 0.05) decrease of the AMF colonisation. In general, the presence of AMF did not affect the growth and biomass of S. nigrum individuals. However, the level of metal in the matrix affected S. nigrum growth; plants grown at 100 mg kg 1 had significantly (P < 0.05) lower leaf, stem, root and total biomass than control ones and plants growing at 500 and 1000 mg kg 1 had the significantly (P < 0.05) lowest biomass. Plants inoculated with the AMF G. claroideum and G. intraradices presented significantly (P < 0.05) higher Zn accumulation in all plant tissues. In general, the stem tissues had the higher Zn content while the leaves registered the lowest values, which indicate a high translocation of the metal. AMF inoculation had no significant (P < 0.05) influence on the metal translocation within the plant. This study suggests that inoculation with the AMF G. claroideum or G. intraradices, can enhance the Zn accumulation in the tissues of S. nigrum, not affecting the plant translocation capacities.
  • Application of manure and compost to contaminated soils and its effect on zinc accumulation by Solanum nigrum inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi
    Publication . Marques, Ana P. G. C.; Oliveira, Rui S.; Rangel, António O. S. S.; Castro, Paula M. L.
    Zn accumulation in Solanum nigrum grown in naturally contaminated soil in the presence of different types of organic amendments was assessed. Under the same conditions, the response of the plant to inoculation with two different isolates of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) (Glomus claroideum and Glomus intraradices) was also evaluated. S. nigrum grown in the non-amended soil always presented higher Zn accumulation in the tissues, with the addition of amendments inducing reductions of up to 80 and 40%, for manure and compost, respectively, and enhancing plant biomass yields. The establishment of S. nigrum in the Zn contaminated soil combined with the application of amendments led to a 70-80% reduction in the amount of Zn leached through the soil. The use of S. nigrum in combination with manure appeared as an effective method for reducing the effects of soil contamination, diminishing Zn transfer to other environmental compartments via percolation.
  • Solanum nigrum grown in contaminated soil: effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on zinc accumulation and histolocalisation
    Publication . Marques, Ana P. G. C.; Oliveira, Rui S.; Samardjieva, Kalina A.; Pissarra, José; Rangel, António O. S. S.; Castro, Paula M.L.
    Zn tissue accumulation in Solanum nigrum grown in a non-contaminated and a naturally contaminated Zn matrix and the effect of inoculation with different arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on metal uptake were assessed. S. nigrum grown in the contaminated soil always presented higher Zn accumulation in the tissues, accumulating up to 1622 mg Zn kg 1. The presence of both Glomus claroideum and Glomus intraradices enhanced the uptake and accumulation of Zn by S. nigrum (up to 83 and 49% higher Zn accumulation, respectively). The main deposits of the metal were found in the intercellular spaces and in the cell walls of the root tissues, as revealed by autometallography, with the inoculation with different AMF species causing no differences in the location of Zn accumulation. These findings indicate that S. nigrum inoculated with selected heavy metal tolerant AMF presents extracting and accumulating capacities, constituting a potentially suitable remediation method for Zn polluted soils.