Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-rdxmf Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-30T23:20:32.163Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Toxic interactions of metal ions (Cd2+, Pb2+, Zn2+ and Sb3−) on in vitro biomass production of ectomycorrhizal fungi

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 November 1997

JEANETTE HARTLEY
Affiliation:
Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, Monks Wood, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, PE17 2LS, UK Department of Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
JOHN W. G. CAIRNEY
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Western Sydney, Nepean, PO Box 10, Kingswood, NSW 2747, Australia
FRANCIS E. SANDERS
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
ANDREW A. MEHARG
Affiliation:
Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, Monks Wood, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, PE17 2LS, UK
Get access

Abstract

A number of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi, from sites uncontaminated by toxic metals, were investigated to determine their sensitivity to Cd2+, Pb2+, Zn2+ and Sb3−, measured as an inhibition of fungal biomass production. Isolates were grown in liquid media amended with the metals, individually (over a range of concentrations) and in combination (at single concentrations) to determine any significant interactions between the metals. Significant interspecific variation in sensitivity to Cd2+ and Zn2+ was recorded, while Pb2+ and Sb3− individually had little effect. The presence of Pb2+ and Sb3− in the media did however, ameliorate Cd2+ and Zn2+ toxicity in some circumstances. Interactions between Cd2+ and Zn2+ were investigated further over a range of concentrations. Zn2+ was found to significantly ameliorate the toxicity of Cd2+ to three of the four isolates tested. The influence of Zn2+ varied between ECM species and with the concentrations of metals tested.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© Trustees of the New Phytologist 1997

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)