Volume 6 | Issue -14
Volume 6 | Issue -14
Volume 6 | Issue -14
Volume 6 | Issue -14
Volume 6 | Issue -14
The present study was aimed at understanding alleviation of cadmium (Cd) stress using arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in soybean by studying its growth, yield and seed protein characteristics. Considering the legumes' tolerance range to Cd and its permissible limit in the soil, Cd (as CdCl2.H2O) was added in the soil-filled pots at three concentration levels, viz., 10, 20, and 30 mg/kg of soil. Besides inoculating the AM fungi Glomus mosseae and G. fasciculatum, (individually and collectively) in the pots, they were also used for seed priming (VAM powder, 25g/kg of seeds). Without AM fungi, all growth parameters, yield, and seed protein characteristics were adversely affected by Cd stress. Furthermore, the Cd-induced decrease in polypeptide intensity (on SDS gels) of seed proteins, computed using GelAnalyzer, was restored to some extents. Compared to G. mosseae, G. fasciculatum was found more effective in boosting plant growth and alleviating the effects of Cd at 10 and 20 mg concentrations. In contrast, at 30 mg, both Glomus species were found equally effective. Thus, given the role of AM fungi in optimizing seed protein quality and quantity in soybean, these two species of AM fungi can be recommended for use to improve the plant performance in Cd-affected soil.