The changes in photosynthesis pigments and proline contents of safflower in response to endophyte fungus under different levels of lead in soil

Lead (Pb), as a heavy metal element, is one of the toxic metals in ecosystems that derived mainly from anthropogenic sources and in plants negatively affects their physiology, biochemistry and cellular ultrastructure. Symbiosis of beneficial microorganisms with plant roots can effectively enhance host tolerance to the metal toxicity under heavy metal stress. In this study, the influence of root endophyte fungus Piriformospora indica on some physiological parameters of Carthamus tinctorius L. (safflower) cv. Sina in soil contaminated with four levels Pb (0, 400, 800 and 1200 mg Pb/kg soil) were investigated. By increasing Pb concentration in the soil, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoids contents were significantly reduced, whereas proline amounts of leaf was increased. Inoculation of safflower plants with P. indica yielded in greater chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids and proline contents, in compare to non-inoculated plants. The results from this work showed that endophyte fungus P. indica has an important role in the alleviation of Pb toxicity via increased contents of photosynthetic pigments and proline in the leaves of safflower cv. Sina

کلیدواژه ها:

Lead ، Heavy metal stress ، Safflower ، Photosynthesis pigments