Evaluation of the effect of Funneliformis mosseae on enhancing the tolerance of Capsicum annuum L. to cadmium and lead stress

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Iraq Natural History Research Center and Museum, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq

2 Department of Biology, College of Education for Pure Science, Ibn Al- Haitham, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq

3 Department of Anatomy; Faculty of Medicine, Jabir Ibn Hayyan University, Baghdad, Iraq

10.22103/jab.2026.27340.1936

Abstract

Objective
Heavy 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 methods
The 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)
Results
Statistical 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.
Conclusion
This 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.

Keywords

References

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Available Online from 14 July 2026

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