Bioremediation Strategy for Arsenic-Contaminated Soils using Formononetin Associated with Rhizophagus clarus Inoculation
摘要
Soil bioremediation is a technique applied to mitigate, degrade, or transform contaminants through the action of microorganisms and plants. Among the organisms used, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are the most promising. The use of mycorrhizal colonization stimulants, such as formononetin, can promote and facilitate the establishment of plants in contaminated environments. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of formononetin application combined with inoculation with Rhizophagus clarus on the bioremediation of soil contaminated with As. Our study utilized Stylosanthes spp. and Urochloa decumbens as model plants. Two experiments were conducted in a greenhouse using a completely randomized design with six repetitions, in a 2 × 2 factorial scheme. The factors were the application of formononetin (Form + and Form-) and inoculation with R. clarus (AMF + and AMF-). Mycorrhizal colonization, spore density, shoot (SDM) and root (RDM) dry mass production, and As content in plants were evaluated. Formononetin application and inoculation with R. clarus enhanced mycorrhizal colonization, spore density, and growth of Stylosanthes spp. and U. decumbens. Colonization increased by 28% for Stylosanthes and 153% for U. decumbens, while spore density increased 2.4-fold and 3.2-fold, respectively. In U. decumbens, inoculation with R. clarus reduced As content in biomass by 59% in the shoots and 40% in the roots, suggesting that mycorrhizal symbiosis can mitigate the toxic effects of As and promote soil bioremediation. Formononetin application enhanced mycorrhizal colonization, while R. clarus inoculation alleviated the As effect in plants, particularly for U. decumbens, showing potential for use in soil bioremediation processes.