Interaction of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (Glomus intraradices and Glomus etunicatum) with tomato plants grown under copper toxicity

Abstract

In this research, the effect of two arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) inoculation (Glomus intraradices and Glomus etunicatum) on tomato plants growing in nutrient solution with high concentrations of copper were studied. Copper (Cu) is an essential micronutrient for plant growth. In the present study, the effect of copper toxicity on growth, chlorophyll, sugar, protein content and antioxidant enzymes activity in both mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal tomato plants were studied. The experiment was performed by using two treatments (mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal) and five concentrations of CuSO₄ solution (0, 1.5, 3.5, 5.5, 7.5 Mm CuSO₄) added to Hogland nutrient solution (with half P concentration). Copper toxicity caused reduction in growth in all treatments (non-AM). This may be due to the accumulation of Cu in leaves. Fresh and dry weights of shoot and roots, total sugar content in both shoots and roots, the total chlorophyll content in leaves, protein content in shoots and roots, antioxidant enzyme activity and root colonization were determined.

Keywords: Arbuscular mycorrhiza, tomato plants, copper toxicity, Glomus intraradices, Glomus etunicatum, oxidative stress