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Unraveling the Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Plant Growth, Nutrient Content, and Heavy Metal Accumulation in the Contaminated Soil: A Meta-analysis

Applied Environmental Research 2024 4 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 55 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Bela Putra, Anuraga Jayanegara, Irwan Susanto

Summary

This meta-analysis of 33 studies found that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi significantly increase heavy metal accumulation in plant roots while reducing it in above-ground tissues, effectively acting as a biofilter. AMF-inoculated plants showed enhanced growth, biomass, and nutrient uptake on polluted land, suggesting a practical bioremediation strategy for contaminated soils.

Study Type Review

This study evaluated the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on plant growth, nutrient uptake, and heavy metal accumulation on polluted land using a meta-analysis approach. Data from 33 relevant studies were selected based on inclusion criteria, specifically articles in English, observational research, and investigating the role of AMF in plant growth and productivity on polluted land. The results showed that plants inoculated with AMF experienced significant accumulation of heavy metals in roots, such as Pb (p<0.01), Ni (p<0.01), Cr (p<0.01), Mn (p<0.05), Fe (p<0.05), and As (p<0.05). The AMF significantly reduced the accumulation of heavy metals such as Cr, Ni, Fe, and Cu on the upper part of fodder forage (p<0.01). Forage growth was also enhanced due to AMF. The AMF greatly increased the fresh weight, length, and phosphorus (P) content of fodder forage roots (p<0.01). It also increased the plant's biomass, fresh weight, dry weight, height, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) contents (p<0.01). In conclusion, AMF is important in increasing plant growth, nutrient uptake and reducing heavy metal accumulation in forage on polluted land.

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