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Soil polluted system shapes endophytic fungi communities associated with Arundo donax: a field experiment

Summary

Mining activities pollute soils with heavy metals and red mud waste, damaging ecosystems and making plant growth difficult. This study examined fungi living inside the roots of Arundo donax, a hardy plant that survives in polluted soils, grown in three soil types: clean, heavy metal-contaminated, and red mud-contaminated. The researchers found that fungal communities changed based on the type of pollution, with a fungus called Pleosporales sp. thriving in red mud and showing promise for helping clean up contaminated soils. This research suggests that understanding these beneficial fungi could improve strategies for using plants to remediate polluted environments.

Background

Environmental pollution from mining activities, including microelement contamination and red mud waste, poses significant challenges to soil ecosystems. Arundo donax is a hyperaccumulator plant capable of surviving in contaminated soils, including red mud-affected areas. Understanding the endophytic fungal communities associated with A. donax in different polluted environments is essential for developing effective bioremediation strategies.

Objective

This field experiment aimed to identify and characterize endophytic fungal communities associated with Arundo donax grown in three soil types: unpolluted soil, microelement-polluted soil (contaminated with cadmium, arsenic, and lead), and red mud-contaminated soil. The study sought to inform future research combining mycorrhizal techniques with hyperaccumulator plants for phytoremediation.

Results

Endophytic fungal communities differed significantly across soil types, with Basidiomycota dominating unpolluted soil and Ascomycota in contaminated soils. Pleosporales sp. was the dominant endophyte in red mud soil (18% relative abundance) with potential antimicrobial properties. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed competitive dynamics in microelement-polluted soil but cooperative relationships in red mud soil. Environmental factors including heavy metals, pH, and nutrient levels significantly influenced fungal community composition.

Conclusion

Soil contamination type significantly shapes endophytic fungal communities in A. donax roots. Pleosporales sp. emerges as a promising candidate for future bioremediation efforts due to its abundance in red mud soils and documented antimicrobial activity. The study highlights the importance of understanding plant-microbe interactions in contaminated environments for developing effective phytoremediation strategies.
  • Published in:PeerJ,
  • Study Type:Field Experiment,
  • Source: 10.7717/peerj.18789
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