Effect of AM Fungi on Growth Performance of Capsicum annum L. Raised in Heavy Metals Contaminated Soil

Author(s): Ifra Zoomi, Harbans Kaur kehri*, Dheeraj Pandey and Ovaid Akhtar

Abstract: Heavy metal contamination in soil poses serious environmental and health problems due to their non-degradable nature and it requires biological technological solutions. In this context, AM fungi play an important role for alleviating metal toxicity in plants by providing nutritional and non-nutritional benefits. The present study has been undertaken to evaluate the effects of AM fungi on growth and physiological parameters in Capsicum annum raised in heavy metal contaminated soil. The results of the present study show that in control (non-amended or non-inoculated) plants, root and shoot dry weight, number of flowers and fruits, total chlorophyll content, total protein content and AM colonization were minimum, whereas maximum in plants where soil was amended with farm yard manure and inoculated with AM fungi and PSF. Thus, the inoculation of AM fungi improved the growth and physiology of Capsicum annum raised under heavy metal contaminated soil.

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