Abstract

RODRIGUEZ GONZALEZ, F. et al. Effect of mining tailings and organic matter on the survival of symbiotically propagated Arbutus xalapensis Kunth. Polibotánica [online]. 2023, n.55, pp.67-80.  Epub May 26, 2023. ISSN 1405-2768.  https://doi.org/10.18387/polibotanica.55.5.

Mineral extraction activities have left a large number of contaminated sites known as "tailings" and embankments, which have concentrations of Potentially Toxic Elements (PTE) and there is no presence of organic matter, which prevents the establishment of vegetation cover. These sites can be rehabilitated using bioremediation technologies, such as microbial-assisted phytoremediation, and agronomic techniques such as the addition of organic matter. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of mining tailings and organic matter on the survival of Arbutus xalapensis Kunth (Ericaceae) propagated symbiotically with ericoid mycorrhizal fungi. Six treatments were established, evaluating survival, growth, biomass and presence or absence of mycorrhizal colonization after 6 months. The observed results show that the greatest survival is found in the treatments without organic matter, having a survival of 91 and 94%, while the height of the plants presented statistically significant differences, having a single treatment that is different from the rest with lower growth embankment of 150 years + soil + agrolite, while for mycorrhizal colonization no significant differences were found between the treatments with contaminants and without contaminants, observing that the symbiosis processes between fungi and tree roots are not affected by the presence of EPT, being viable the phytoremediation of tailings with A. xalapensis and mycorrhizae.

Keywords : Bioremediation; Phytoremediation; Mycorrhizal Fungus; Potentially Toxic Elements; Symbiosis.

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