Molecular community analysis of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi associated with five selected plant species from heavy metal polluted soils

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are known to play an important role in plant tolerance to heavy metals (HMs) stress. This study aimed to understand the diversity of AMF communities associated with five selected plant species (Phytolacca americana, Rehmannia glutinosa, Perilla frutescens, Litsea cubeba and Dysphania ambrosioides) from severely HMs polluted soils in Dabaoshan Mine region, China, using molecular methods. Plant roots and rhizospheric soils were sampled from four sites, respectively. Targeting the fungal small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene, PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis indicated that varied AMF communities colonized different plant species, and the AMF communities in rhizospheric soils were different from those in plant roots. Total six SSU rRNA gene clone libraries including four root samples and two rhizospheric soil samples were constructed. Screening clone libraries by DGGE and sequence analysis revealed that Glomus dominated all of the samples except for the roots of D. ambrosioides, while Kuklospora and Ambispora dominated the roots of D. ambrosioides and the rhizosphere of P. americana. This study indicates that diverse AMF are associated with these selected plants, and they are potentially useful to promote the phytoremediation of this HMs polluted area.