Reduction of Phytotoxic Effect of Cadmium Heavy Metal by Biomass of Edible Fungus, Armillaria tabescens

In this study, it is aimed to reduce the damage caused by Cd, one of the heavy metals, on the corn plant with the biomass of the edible mushroom Armillaria tabescens. For this purpose; Control, Cd application (0.1 mM), Cd + A. tabescens (0.01 mM + 10g biomass) application and A.tabescens (10g biomass) application were prepared as the experimental setup. Our study was carried out in a hydroponic environment. Firstly root-stem lengths and wet-dry weight were determined. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) and reactive oxygen species (H2O2 and O2-) and antioxidant enzyme (SOD) levels were measured. In addition, changes in protein, chlorophyll, proline and sugar levels in seedlings were also evaluated. According to our results, in hydroponics medium, the damage size were high in the corn plants exposed to Cd heavy metal and the damage was low in Cd + A. tabescens application. In addition, it was seen that A. tabescens significantly reduced heavy metal stress in Cd + A.tabescens application by considering the changes in chlorophyll content, carotoneid, total sugar, protein and proline content. Moreover, it was observed that only A. tabescens application contributed to the growth and development of corn plant. Our research findings show that A. tabescens mushrooms can be used to reduce Cd stress. This study is a first in terms of heavy metal removal in hydroponic environment.