Potential of arbuscular mycorrhizae and tall fescue in remediation of soils polluted with zinc

A greenhouse experiment was carried out to investigate efficiency of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to remediate soils polluted with zinc (Zn). Treatments consisted of four AMFs (control, Rhizophagus intraradices, Funneliformis mosseae and Glomus versiforme) and five levels of Zn (Z(0): control, Z(1): 10 mg kg(-1), Z(2): 50 mg kg(-1), Z(3): 100 mg kg(-1) and Z(4): 500 mg kg(-1)). The inoculation of tall fescue with F. mosseae and G. versiforme resulted in an increase in dry weight of shoots and uptake and concentration of shoot phosphorus) phosphorus (P) and Zn, while use of R. intraradices increased root dry weight and uptake of root Zn and P. The highest concentration of Zn in shoots was obtained in plants inoculated with F. mosseae. Root Zn concentration at all levels of Zn was significantly higher in plants inoculated with R. intraradices than other treatments. At 500 mg Zn kg(-1), Zn translocation efficiency was higher in plants inoculated with F. mosseae, followed by G. versiforme, while most effective accumulation of Zn in roots was in plants inoculated with R. intraradices. Generally, efficiency of AMF in phytoremediation of Zn by plants mainly depends on fungal isolates and levels of Zn.