Growth stimulation of Gezania splendens plants grown under lead and cadmium stress conditions using mycorrhiza fungus
A pot experiment was conducted at the Horticultural Research Institute Antonides in Alexandria (2022-2023 seasons) to evaluate the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on Gazania splendens under cadmium (2, 4, 8 ppm) and lead (150, 200, 400 ppm) stress conditions. A randomized block design was used, comprising thirteen treatments with three replications each. Results showed that the highest concentrations of Cd (8 ppm) and Pb (400 ppm) significantly inhibited vegetative growth, root development, and floral traits, while increasing metal accumulation in leaves and reducing carotene and proline content. In contrast, AMF inoculation (200 g/plant) significantly mitigated heavy metal stress, improving all studied growth and physiological parameters. AMF-treated plants showed lower heavy metal uptake and higher proline levels compared to non-inoculated stressed plants. The study demonstrates that AMF is an effective biotechnological tool for enhancing the tolerance of Gazania splendens in heavy metal-contaminated soils