Growth and biochemicals assessment of some landscape turfgrasses under Cd toxicity through bio-inoculation system

Application of strategies inducing a heavy metal tolerant turfgrass is necessary for cultivation management. Water and soil contamination with heavy metals is an increasing concern for the human and environment health. This study was conducted to evaluate the mitigation of environmental Cd toxicity through landscape turfgrasses as affected by two arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) species and to monitor some physiological and biochemical properties of the plants in various Cd concentrations. Plants were inoculated with Rhizophagus intraradices and Glomus mosseae and without AMF, with the addition of different Cd concentration (0, 200, and 300 µg/L). AMF could colonize with the roots of turfgrasses in order as follows: Agropyron elongatum > Festuca aurandinace > F. ovina > Lolium perenne. The highest AMF colonization (~70%), Cd concentration in shoot (250 mg/Kg dry weight) and aerial and underground biomass (about 3 and 1.2 g/pot, respectively) as well as growth rate were displayed in Agropyron elongatum when inoculated with G. mosseae under 200 µg/L Cd solution. Both AMF species reduced H2O2 production and lipid peroxidation and enhanced catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activity. Lolium perenne accumulated higher Cd in its roots as compared to the other turfgrasses under non-AMF. Although A. elongatum and Festuca aurandinace had a translocation factor (TF)>1, they could produce considerable biomass and grow well through AMF inoculation. It is suggested that the two latter species could be used under highly Cd-contaminated soil/water if AMF is prepared.