The effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and lead (Pb)applications on eggplant seedling growth and nutrient uptake

There are many factors, which negatively affect plant development. One of these factors is lead (Pb), which causes toxic effects on plants during the seedling period. Mycorrhizas (AMF) contribute positively to plant growth. In eggplant seedlings, it has been researched whether to tolerate the negative effects of lead with mycorrhizas. In the study, Gigaspora margarita (Gm) and Glomus intraradices (Gi) mycorrhizal races were applied before seeds were sown. After the first true leaves appeared, 5 different doses of Pb (0, 100, 200, 400 and 800 ppm) were given. As a result, the earliest true leaf appearance time, the widest cotyledon and longest cotyledon, were taken from Gm application. In terms of other seedling development parameters, the highest values were obtained from Gm-0 ppm Pb application. In addition, it was observed that the control 0 and 100 Pb ppm applications received high values. As expected, due to the toxic effect of lead, no plants could be obtained in Control-800 ppm Pb application. However, the plants continued to develop by tolerating the toxic effect of lead in Gm-800 ppm and Gi-800 ppm applications especially. The other criteria that we examined were the intake of important nutrients N, P, K and Ca with mycorrhizal even in high-dose lead conditions. It was observed that the lead was taken into the plant by mycorrhizal. Lead content in the root was more than the lead content in the shoot. In general, it was seen that low Pb dose in Gi application can be partially tolerable for seedling growth and nutrient content.