Field application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Alocasia calidora (Schott) G.Don for effective remediation of heavy metal/metalloid-polluted landfill soil

The research aimed to assess the influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation on the growth, tolerance, and phytoremediation capacity of Alocasia calidora (Schott) G.Don used in heavy metal/metalloid-polluted soil under field conditions. Five new, young A. calidora plants were planted in each treatment and control plot (1 m × 1 m). AMF inoculum was supplemented on days 0, 30, 60, and 90 in the treatment plot, and the experiment was conducted for 120 days. Substantial growth was observed in the roots and shoots of AMF-inoculated A. calidora. In the shoots of treated A. calidora, a high accumulation of Cu, As, Ni, Mn, and Pb was observed. The AMF-treated plant exhibited a higher accumulation of Cu, Fe, and Ni in the roots (P < 0.05). The removal efficiencies in the AMF-treated soil were 84.67, 74.82, 81.61, 80.77, 88.21, 92.26, 92.35, and 67.32% for As, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn, correspondingly, while, for control, the corresponding values were 61.24, 52.42, 62.95, 33.46, 57.89, 61.45, 71.19, and 54.98%. AMF-treated A. calidora demonstrated an increased tolerance and metal/metalloid accumulation in response to a variety of compounds, including tryptophan, S-(4-nitrobenzyl) glutathione, 5,7,2',3'-tetrahydroxy flavone, 5,2-dihydroxy flavone, indole-acrylic acid, and various tripeptides. A. calidora proliferation, tolerance, and metal/metalloid accumulation were enhanced by the inoculated AMF. Therefore, treating soil contaminated with heavy metals/metalloids can be accomplished by combining AMF with plants.