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Phosphate mining activities affect crop rhizosphere fungal communities
Qiang Li1, Qian Wu1, Ting Zhang1
1Key Laboratory of Coarse Cereal Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sichuan Engineering & Technology Research Center of Coarse Cereal Industrialization, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
The Science of the Total Environment
|May 27, 2022
Summary
Phosphate mining harms soil fungi, reducing crop diversity and altering fungal communities. However, some fungi like Epicoccum nigrum show potential for remediating heavy metal pollution from mining.
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Soil science
- Mycology
Background:
- Phosphate mining is a significant source of heavy metal pollution.
- The impact of mining on rhizosphere fungal communities remains understudied.
- Understanding these impacts is crucial for soil remediation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of phosphate mining on rhizosphere fungal diversity and community structure in Lactuca sativa, Glycine max, and Triticum aestivum.
- To identify potential fungal candidates for the remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils.
Main Methods:
- Fungal diversity and community structure analysis using high-throughput sequencing.
- Isolation and characterization of soil fungi for phosphate solubilization and heavy metal tolerance.
- Assessment of phosphorus dissolution and alkaline phosphatase activity.
Main Results:
- Phosphate mining significantly reduced rhizosphere fungal diversity (P < 0.05).
- Relative abundances of Fusarium and Epicoccum increased in mining-affected soils.
- Epicoccum nigrum and Fusarium verticillioides were identified as efficient phosphate solubilizers and showed heavy metal tolerance.
Conclusions:
- Phosphate mining alters rhizosphere fungal ecology, impacting crop health.
- Specific fungal species, including E. nigrum and F. verticillioides, demonstrate potential for soil remediation.
- This research provides insights into fungal adaptation to mining stress and resources for pollution control.
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