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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
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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

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