Cd-tolerant Suillus luteus: A fungal insurance for pines exposed to Cd

Soil metal pollution can trigger evolutionary adaptation in soil-borne organisms. An in vitro screening test showed cadmium adaptation in populations of Suillus luteus (L.: Fr.) Roussel, an ectomycorrhizal fungus of pine trees. Cadmium stress was subsequently investigated in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L) seedlings inoculated with a Cd-tolerant S. luteus, isolated from a heavy metal contaminated site, and compared to plants inoculated with a Cd-sensitive isolate from a non-polluted area. A dose-response experiment with mycorrhizal pines showed better plant protection by a Cd-adapted fungus: more fungal biomass and a higher nutrient uptake at high Cd exposure. In addition, less Cd was transferred to aboveground plant parts. Because of the key role of the ectomycorrhizal symbiosis for tree fitness, the evolution of Cd tolerance in an ectomycorrhizal partner such as S. luteus can be of major importance for the establishment of pine forests on Cd-contaminated soils. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Publication year:2009

Keywords:cadmium tolerance, trace element toxicity, ectomycorrhizal symbiosis, pinus sylvestris, scots pine, suillus luteus, Cadmium tolerance, Trace element toxicity, Ectomycorrhizal symbiosis, Pinus sylvestris, Scots pine, Suillus luteus

BOF-keylabel:yes

IOF-keylabel:yes

BOF-publication weight:6

CSS-citation score:2

Authors from:Higher Education

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