A pot experiment was
conducted to determine the potential of AM fungi in phytoremediation of heavy
metals and its effect on yield of wheat crop. The experiment was conducted in
CR Design with four replications during rabi 2012-13. Data showed no increase in
grain and shoot yields by AMF inoculation with Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn at different
levels but increased root yield, plant height, spike length and hundred grains
weight of wheat as compared with uninoculated crop. Post-harvest soil Zn, Cu,
Fe and Mn contents of 2, 4.4, 2.8 and 2.9 mg·kg-1, respectively were
maximum in uninoculated plants treated with Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn at triple of
recommended level. No increases in plant P, N, Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn uptakes were
observed by the inoculation of AMF when compared with uninoculated crop.
Maximum plant Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn uptakes of 160.5, 206, 1914.6 and 2653 g·ha-1,
respectively were recorded in uninoculated plants applied with Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn
at triple of recommended levels. Wheat roots infection intensity by AMF
increased with higher AMF soil spores density. Results suggest the potential of
phytoremediation of contaminated soil to be improved by the inoculation of
crops with AMF.