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Behavior in the absorption of Na and Pb in cucurbit plants and inoculation of native arbuscular mycorrhizae in tolerant and susceptible species

Abstract:

Na and Pb in high concentrations can affect the growth of crops. An alternative to miti-gate plant stress caused by these elements is inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. The present work was carried out with the objective of evaluating Na and Pb uptake in Cucurbitaceae plants (Citrullus lanatus, Cucumis melo, Cucurbita ecuador-iensis, Cucurbita moschata) under controlled conditions, in addition to evaluating the effect of a consortium of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on a tolerant and a susceptible species. The experiments were conducted in rice husk:sand substrate in a 1:1 ratio. Na and Pb were applied at concentrations of 0, 97, 309, 529, 741 mg/kg and 0, 150, 250, 500, 1000 mg/kg, respectively. Agronomic parameters were evaluated and the accumulation of both elements in the biomass was quantified by atomic absorption spectrometry. As a result, Cucurbita ecuadoriensis, a Na and Pb tolerant species, accumulated 10 301.3 mg/kg Na and 5293.1 mg/kg Pb in its total biomass. Meanwhile, the susceptible species Cucumis melo accumulated 22 091.6 mg/kg Na and 14 407 mg/kg Pb in its total biomass. In the trial with inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, a decrease was observed in Cucurbita ecuadoriensis, which reached 3419.3 mg/kg Na and 4866.1 mg/kg Pb. Likewise, Cucumis melo accumulated 8681 mg/kg Na and 3133.1 mg/kg Pb in its total biomass. In conclusion, inoculation with AMF allowed both plants to accumulate less Na and Pb in their systems.