Effects of Glomus mosseae on the toxicity of heavy metals to Vicia faba

A glasshouse pot experiment was conducted to investigate effects of th e arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae on the growth of Vicia faba and t oxicity induced by heavy metals (HMs) (Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd) in a field soil contam inated by a mixture of these metals. There was also uninoculation treatment (NM) simultaneously. Mycorrhizal (GM) plants have significantly increased growth and tolerance to toxicity induced by heavy metals compared with NM plants. P uptake was significantly increased in GM plants. Mycorrhizal symbiosis reduced the tra nsportation of HMs from root to shoot by immobilizing HMs in the mycorrhizal, sh own by increasing the ratios of HMs from root to shoot. Oxidative stress, which can induce DNA damage, is an important mechanism of heavy metal toxicity. GM tre atment decreased oxidative stress by intricating antioxidative systems such as p eroxidases and non-enzymic systems including soluble protein. The DNA damage ind uced by heavy metals was detected using comet assay, which showed DNA damage in the plants was decreased by the GM treatment.