In a greenhouse experiments, Acacia saligna seedlings inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi (AMF) on growth and uptake of N, P, K, and Pb, grown in lead (Pb) contaminated soil were investigated. Inoculation of the host plants with AMF, Glomus mosseae and G. deserticola spores, significantly increased the dry weight, shoot length, total N, P and K as well as chlorophyll concentration in the trees. The protection of Acacia by AMF against the toxic action of Pb was more evident when seedlings were Inoculated with G. deserticola than with G. mosseae. The inoculation of Acacia with mycorrhizal fungi enhanced the amount of Pb absorbed and accumulated by Acacia. The results showed that inoculation of the host plants with AMF protects them from the potential toxicity caused by increased uptake of Pb. It seems that arbuscular mycorrhizae has a potential in phytoremediation of the heavy metal contaminated soils.
Keywords: Acacia; Contamination; Heavy Metals; Arbuscular Mycorrhiza
