How metal-tolerant ecotypes of ectomycorrhizal fungi protect plants from heavy metal pollution

Table 1 Ratio of metal concentration in needles of Pinus sylvestris inoculated with a metal-tolerant ecotype of Suillus luteus or S. bovinus versus metal concentration in needles of pines associated with a metal-sensitive ecotype of the same fungus

Fungus	Metal treatment (μM)	Exposure time	[Metal] needles tolerant vs. control
Suillus luteus	Cd 5	8 weeks	0.53
	Cd 10	8 weeks	0.33
	Cd 10	8 weeks	0.10–0.62
	Cd 10	8 weeks	0.18–0.69
	Zn 150	8 weeks	0.69–0.93
	Zn 150	8 weeks	0.62–0.81
	Cu 30	10 weeks	0.78
	Cu 60	10 weeks	0.75
Suillus bovinus	Zn 75	6 weeks	0.57
	Zn 150	6 weeks	1.17
	Zn 150	9 months	0.78

Tolerant ecotypes were all isolated from metalliferous soil
Each line represents a single metal-ecotype treatment. Data compiled from experiments by Adriaensen et al. 2004; 2005; 2006 and Krznaric et al. 2009; 2010

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