MYCORRHIZAL STATUS OF CROPS GROWN IN ARSENIC AFFECTED AREAS OF SONARGAON AND INFLUENCE OF MYCORRHIZAE ON GROWTH OF SELECTED CROPS IN ARSENIC AMENDED SOIL

Abstract

The contamination of crops because of irrigation with arsenic contaminated water causing problem in human health in Bangladesh. Mycorrhizal fungi can reduce the contamination of arsenic toxicity to the crops. This study were conducted the mycorrhizal status of different crop roots collected from different arsenic (As) affected villages of Sonargaon area and also examined the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on some selected crops (wheat, spinach and red amaranthus) grown _inarsenic amended soil. Plants were grown with or without arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation in soil amended with three levels of arsenic solution (1Oppm.1OOppmand 500ppm). The higher concentration of arsenic contaminated soil affected the seed germination. At 500ppm, treated soil completely inhibited seed germination of red amaranthus but little germination was found in wheat and spinach.' A positive germination response to AMF was observed in all the selected crops. Root length, shoot height, leaf number, fresh and dry weight of shoot and root, mycorrhizal root colonization, per cent vigority, nutrient (N, P, K and S) uptake increased significantly due to mycorrhizal infection and decreased significantly with increasing arsenic concentrations. Mycorrhizal inoculation reduced As concentration in shoots of red amaranthus. Thus, crops with compatible AMF inoculation can minimize arsenic toxicity and increase plants growth and nutrient uptake.