Mycorrhizal Inoculation and Heavy Metal Accumulation in the Early Growth of Parkia timoriana (DC.) Merr. in Urban Environments of Paranaque, Metro Manila, Philippines
摘要
Heavy metal accumulation challenges the utilization of Philippine native tree species in urban areas. This study investigates the effects of different mycorrhizal inoculants on the Copper (Cu) and Zinc (Zn) uptake on early growth of Parkia timoriana (DC.) Merr and assess the role of endomycorrhizas in its field resiliency towards a sustainable urban tree landscape. Nursery and field experiments were conducted following Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) to determine endomycorrhizal colonization to enhance plant growth and sustain urban landscape. Four treatments were applied: (1) a mixed-species AMF inoculant (MykoVAM, UPLB-BIOTECH), which includes several AM fungal species from the genera Glomus, Gigaspora, Entrophospora, and Acaulospora; (2) a single-isolate AMF inoculant (HiQVAM, DENR-ERDB); and (3) a mixed-species AMF inoculant combined with plant growth-promoting bacteria (Bacillus sacchari), consisting of Glomus, Acaulospora, and Entrophospora and a control. Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) were used to determine the Cu and Zn content of soil and plant tissue samples, respectively. Findings indicated that indigenous P. timoriana (DC.) Merr. Formed vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) when inoculated in the nursery. Addition of AMF to P. timoriana (DC.) Merr. Enhanced (p < 0.05) field growth in root biomass and significantly (p < 0.05) accumulated Zn in shoot possibly due to high concentration in soil. Level of Cu was considerable on soil underscoring the importance of AMF in enhancing resilience in urban areas. These findings provided valuable insights on the role of endomycorrhizas in sustainable urban tree landscaping but requires further ecological investigation on nature-based strategies in urban greening initiatives.