Japan Mycoremediation Part 2 // Following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, local environment was contaminated with radioactive cesium (Cs). This contamination posed a risk to human health, as Cs could accumulate in organically grown crops, like Chinese cabbage and tomatoes.
Symbiotic microorganisms, including mycorrhiza and dark septate endophytic fungi (DSE), are known to associate with various plants. Researchers have been exploring their potential to accumulate heavy metals and Cs. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), for instance, have been found to accumulate Cs in plants, and they can enhance plant growth and Cs uptake. However, the role of DSEs in managing plant growth and Cs accumulation in contaminated environments has been less studied. DSEs are not common in soil but often form "symbiotic" relationships with plant roots, and they are not very specific in their associations.
A 2014 study by Ousmane Diene, Nobuo Sakagami and Kazuhiko Narisawa, revealed that DSE fungi could enhance the growth of Chinese cabbage and tomatoes in Cs-contaminated conditions. In some cases, DSEs outperformed AMF in promoting plant biomass.
The DSEs studied were found to have the ability to decrease Cs accumulation in tomato plants, a novel discovery, with Cs sequestered in fungal hyphae. This suggests that DSEs may regulate the bioavailability of Cs in polluted environments, showcasing their multifunctional symbiotic relationships with host plants.
This study highlights the potential of DSE fungi in addressing the issue of food chain contamination by radionuclides in contaminated areas. They could be recommended for tomato growers in such regions, potentially reducing Cs accumulation in the primary food chain. The findings also open doors for further investigations into the mechanisms underlying these beneficial plant-fungus interactions in DSE symbiosis.
Research details available here.
Photo credits: Carlos Vegara
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