Generalist arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi dominated heavy metal polluted soils at two artisanal and small - scale gold mining sites in southeastern Ecuador.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining activities are producing contamination with heavy metals and metalloids (HMM) into soils and water worldwide. The HMM are considered as one of the major abiotic stresses due to their long-term persistence in soil. In this context, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) confer resistance to a variety of abiotic plant stressors including HMM. However, little is known regarding the diversity and composition of AMF communities in heavy metal polluted sites in Ecuador.

Methods

In order to investigate the AMF diversity, root samples and associated soil of six plant species were collected from two sites polluted by heavy metals, located in Zamora-Chinchipe province, Ecuador. The AMF 18S nrDNA genetic region was analyzed and sequenced, an

SUBMITTER: Suarez JP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9930361 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature