Abstract
The potential use of mycorrhiza as a bioremediation agent for soils contaminated by radiocesium was evaluated in a greenhouse experiment. The uptake of 137Cs by cucumber, perennial ryegrass, and sunflower after inoculation with a commercial arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) product in soils contaminated with 137Cs was investigated, with non-mycorrhizal quinoa included as a “reference” plant. The effect of cucumber and ryegrass inoculation with AM fungi on 137Cs uptake was inconsistent. The effect of AM fungi was most pronounced in sunflower: both plant biomass and 137Cs uptake increased on loamy sand and loamy soils. The total 137Cs activity accumulated within AM host sunflower on loamy sand and loamy soils was 2.4 and 3.2-fold higher than in non-inoculated plants. Although the enhanced uptake of 137Cs by quinoa plants on loamy soil inoculated by the AM fungi was observed, the infection of the fungi to the plants was not confirmed.
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Highlights
► Effect of soil inoculation on 137Cs uptake by crops was studied in greenhouse. ► 137Cs uptake by inoculated sunflower plants was most pronounced. ► The higher 137Cs uptake by inoculated sunflower due to presence of mycorrhiza. ► Studies suggest potential for use of mycorrhiza on contaminated sites.
Keywords
• Radiocesium;
• Radionuclides;
• Contaminated soil