The Impact of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi And Endophytic Bacteria on Peanut Under the Combined Pollution of Cadmium and Microplastics

Abstract

The degradation of soil quality and inhibition of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) growth are being exacerbated by the combined effects of cadmium (Cd) stress and residual microplastics (MPs) following land mulching. However, the impact of symbiotic microbes on soil quality and peanut growth remains unclear when exposed to combined pollution from Cd stress and MPs. In this study, the effects of Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and endophytic bacteria on physio-biochemical performance and bacterial communities in soil of peanut under Cd and MPs co-pollution. Results showed that application of AMF and SC60 treatment significantly enhance soil organic carbon and available Cd content under the conditions of Cd80 and MPs co-pollution. AMF and SC60 treatment improves peanut's absorption and enrichment coefficient for Cd, with most of it being enriched in peanut roots, especially under combined pollution by Cd and MPs. Under both levels of Cd40 and Cd80 combined with PBAT pollution, Proteobacteria exhibit a higher relative abundance. While Actinobacteria show a higher relative abundance under both levels of Cd concentration combined with LDPE pollution. In conclusion, under the combined pollution condition of MPs and Cd, the co-treatment of AMF and SC60 effectively immobilizes Cd in peanut roots while impeding its translocation to shoot.

Keywords: peanut, cadmium stress, microplastics, endophytes, microbial abundance