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Arsenate resistance in the ericoid mycorrhizal fungus Hymenoscyphus ericae
Author(s) -
Sharples J. M.,
Meharg A. A.,
Chambers S. M.,
Cairney J. W. G.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1469-8137.2001.00146.x
Subject(s) - chemistry , arsenate , population , fungus , calluna , botany , environmental chemistry , ericaceae , arsenic , organic chemistry , biology , demography , sociology
Summary• Differential resistance to arsenate (AsO 4 3− ) is demonstrated here among populations of the ericoid mycorrhizal fungus Hymenoscyphus ericae isolated from Calluna vulgaris in natural heathland soils and soils contaminated with AsO 4 3− . • Isolates ( c. 25) of the fungus from each of two As and Cu mine sites, and a natural heathland site, were screened for AsO 4 3− and Cu 2+ resistance by growing isolates in media containing a range of AsO 4 3− and Cu 2+ concentrations. • H. ericae populations from the mine sites demonstrated resistance to AsO 4 3− compared with the heathland population; the mine‐site populations producing significant growth at the highest AsO 4 3− concentration (4.67 mol m −3 ), whereas growth of the heathland population was almost completely inhibited. EC 50 values for mine‐site isolates were estimated to be 5–41‐times higher than the heathland population. All isolates produced identical responses to increasing Cu 2+ concentrations, with no differences observed between mine‐site and heathland isolates. • Populations of H. ericae on the contaminated mine sites have developed adaptive resistance to AsO 4 3− . By contrast, Cu 2+ resistance appears to be constitutive.