Alleviation of copper toxicity using the combined application of silicon and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in tomato | |
| Author | Adhikari, Aliza |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.AS-24-01 |
| Subject(s) | Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizas Mycorrhizal fungi Tomatoes Copper-- Toxicology Silicon |
| Note | A Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Agricultural Systems and Engineering |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | The widespread use of Copper (Cu) based agrochemicals in agriculture has significantly increased Cu concentrations in arable soils, raising concerns about plant health and human safety. Tomato plants, highly sensitive to Cu toxicity, often exhibit diminished growth and yield due to these elevated Cu levels. Current research on mitigating Cu toxicity in soil-grown, non-Silicon (Si) accumulator plants like tomatoes is limited, particularly in usage of both Si and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF). This experiment was carried out to study the individual and combined effects of Si and AMF on alleviating Cu toxicity in Tomato. Tomato plants were cultivated in a polyhouse at AIT and subjected to varying levels of Cu (0, 75, 150, 300, 600 mg kg-1 ). Treatments included Si at two levels (0, 60 kg ha-1 ) and AMF at two levels (with and without, 12 g pot-1 ). Growth parameters, fruit yield, quality, physiochemical parameters and Cu accumulation in plant tissues were assessed. The addition of Cu at low to optimal levels (up to Cu150) generally improved plant growth and physiochemical parameters. At higher Cu concentrations, reduction in shoot dry biomass, leaf area, leaf number, and plant height were observed. Despite that, application of Si and AMF mitigated these adverse effects; at Cu150 level, shoot dry mass increased by 10.34% relative to the control, which exhibited the highest shoot biomass under this treatment. Additionally, these treatments (in combination and individually) significantly reduced Cu accumulation in the leaves. and increased Si content proportionally with increasing Cu stress, peaking at the highest Cu toxicity levels. The synergistic application of Si and AMF also led to notable improvements in physiological and biochemical parameter under severe Cu stress, enhancing overall plant resilience. Despite significant reductions in yield, biomass, and leaf dimensions observed at higher Cu levels, the combined treatment of Si and AMF proved more effective than individual. Fruit yield increased by 4.29% with just Cu application and by 13.3% at the Cu150 level when treated with Si and AMF; at Cu600, the combined treatments boosted yield by 53% despite the toxic effects of higher Cu levels. The mean Cu concentration in fruits also increased with rising soil Cu levels, the application of Si and AMF countered the detrimental effects and also improved yield and larger fruits. The findings emphasize the integration Si and AMF into cultivation to combat Cu toxicity, suggesting a promising strategy for enhancing crop performance (yield) and sustainability in Cu-contaminated environments. |
| Year | 2024 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Agricultural Systems and Engineering (ASE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Datta, Avishek; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Himanshu, Sushil Kumar;Zulfiqar, Farhad; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | AIT Scholarships; |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2024 |