title: Trichoderma spp. alleviate phytotoxicity in lettuce plants (Lactuca sativa L.) irrigated with arsenic-contaminated water.
abstract: The influence of two strains of Trichoderma (T. harzianum strain T22 and T. atroviride strain P1) on the growth of lettuce plants (Lactuca sativa L.) irrigated with As-contaminated water, and their effect on the uptake and accumulation of the contaminant in the plant roots and leaves, were studied. Accumulation of this non-essential element occurred mainly into the root system and reduced both biomass development and net photosynthesis rate (while altering the plant P status). Plant growth-promoting fungi (PGPF) of both Trichoderma species alleviated, at least in part, the phytotoxicity of As, essentially by decreasing its accumulation in the tissues and enhancing plant growth, P status and net photosynthesis rate. Our results indicate that inoculation of lettuce with selected Trichoderma strains may be helpful, beside the classical biocontrol application, in alleviating abiotic stresses such as that caused by irrigation with As-contaminated water, and in reducing the concentration of this metalloid in the edible part of the plant.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Università 100, 80055 Portici, Napoli, Italy. Electronic address: ag.caporale@unina.it.
authors.forename: Antonio G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Caporale
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Università 100, 80055 Portici, Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sommella
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Università 100, 80055 Portici, Napoli, Italy; Istituto per la Protezione Sostenibile delle Piante, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Portici, Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lorito
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Università 100, 80055 Portici, Napoli, Italy; Istituto per la Protezione Sostenibile delle Piante, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Portici, Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lombardi
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Università 100, 80055 Portici, Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Shah M G G
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Azam
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Università 100, 80055 Portici, Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pigna
authors.affiliation: Istituto per la Protezione Sostenibile delle Piante, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Portici, Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Michelina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ruocco
mesh_terms: D001151:Arsenic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D018533:Biomass; D018545:Lactuca / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000382:microbiology*; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000382:microbiology; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000382:microbiology; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D014242:Trichoderma / Q000502:physiology*; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D012987:Soil; D014867:Water; D001151:Arsenic
keywords: Arsenic; Bio-fertilization; PGPF; Phytotoxicity; Trichoderma