Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman and Iranian Biotechnology Society Agricultural Biotechnology Journal 2228-6705 18 4 2026 12 22 Evaluation of the effect of Funneliformis mosseae on enhancing the tolerance of Capsicum annuum L. to cadmium and lead stress Evaluation of the effect of Funneliformis mosseae on enhancing the tolerance of Capsicum annuum L. to cadmium and lead stress 461 478 5629 10.22103/jab.2026.27340.1936 FA Sarah Jamal Jalil Iraq Natural History Research Center and Museum, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq 0009-0009-8903-8278 Thamer A. A. Muhsen Department of Biology, College of Education for Pure Science, Ibn Al- Haitham, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq 0000-0002-5025-9278 Shaymaa A. H. Neamah Department of Anatomy; Faculty of Medicine, Jabir Ibn Hayyan University, Baghdad, Iraq 0009-0004-6578-7868 Journal Article 2026 06 02 ObjectiveHeavy metal pollution harms plants, so using biological methods to mitigate it is important. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi have been known to enhance mineral nutrition to plants, particularly uptake of comparatively immobile nutrients like phosphorus (P), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu), and increase nitrogen uptake and water use efficiency. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Funneliformis mosseae inoculation in enhancing the growth and tolerance of Capsicum annuum L. under cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) stress conditions.Materials and methodsThe experiment was conducted over a period of 160 days using areplicated experimental design to evaluate the effects of Funneliformis mosseae under lead and cadmium stress. A pot experiment was conducted under the greenhouse conditions at the University of Baghdad. The experiment utilized a completely randomized design (CRD) featuring six replicates for each treatment. These treatment groups were established to assess the growth of Capsicum annuum plants in clay soil. Plant growth was assessed by measuring fresh and dry weights and stem and root while Pb and Cd concentrations were determined in root tissues and soil using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). The statistical analysis of the experimental data was performed using the Statistical Analysis System (SAS) software (Version 9.4) ResultsStatistical analysis using two-way ANOVA indicated significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) among the experimental treatments. Inoculation with Funneliformis mosseae improved the growth of hot pepper plants, as reflected by higher fresh and dry biomass together with increased shoot and root lengths under lead and cadmium stress. Furthermore, AAS analysis revealed lower Pb and Cd concentrations in the roots of mycorrhiza-inoculated plants, suggesting that mycorrhizal inoculation effectively reduced heavy metal stress. ConclusionThis study provides evidence that mycorrhizal inoculation can be integrated into sustainable management strategies for crops grown in heavy metal-contaminated soils. The use of Funneliformis mosseae offers a practical biological approach to improving plant performance while minimizing the impact of lead and cadmium on agricultural systems. ObjectiveHeavy metal pollution harms plants, so using biological methods to mitigate it is important. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi have been known to enhance mineral nutrition to plants, particularly uptake of comparatively immobile nutrients like phosphorus (P), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu), and increase nitrogen uptake and water use efficiency. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Funneliformis mosseae inoculation in enhancing the growth and tolerance of Capsicum annuum L. under cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) stress conditions.Materials and methodsThe experiment was conducted over a period of 160 days using areplicated experimental design to evaluate the effects of Funneliformis mosseae under lead and cadmium stress. A pot experiment was conducted under the greenhouse conditions at the University of Baghdad. The experiment utilized a completely randomized design (CRD) featuring six replicates for each treatment. These treatment groups were established to assess the growth of Capsicum annuum plants in clay soil. Plant growth was assessed by measuring fresh and dry weights and stem and root while Pb and Cd concentrations were determined in root tissues and soil using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). The statistical analysis of the experimental data was performed using the Statistical Analysis System (SAS) software (Version 9.4) ResultsStatistical analysis using two-way ANOVA indicated significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) among the experimental treatments. Inoculation with Funneliformis mosseae improved the growth of hot pepper plants, as reflected by higher fresh and dry biomass together with increased shoot and root lengths under lead and cadmium stress. Furthermore, AAS analysis revealed lower Pb and Cd concentrations in the roots of mycorrhiza-inoculated plants, suggesting that mycorrhizal inoculation effectively reduced heavy metal stress. ConclusionThis study provides evidence that mycorrhizal inoculation can be integrated into sustainable management strategies for crops grown in heavy metal-contaminated soils. The use of Funneliformis mosseae offers a practical biological approach to improving plant performance while minimizing the impact of lead and cadmium on agricultural systems. https://jab.uk.ac.ir/article_5629_5c6287be4de9ff5afeaec72d54436fcf.pdf