Mycorrhiza and Iron Tailings Synergistically Enhance Maize Resistance to Arsenic on Medium Arsenic-Polluted Soils Through Increasing Phosphorus and Iron Uptake

Agricultural arsenic (As, CAS. No. 7440-38-2) over the issue of pollution has been related to people’s livelihood, security and moderate use of As contaminated soil is an important aspect of contaminated soil remediation. In this potted plant experiment, synergistic effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) Funneliformis mosseae and iron (Fe, CAS. No. 7439-89-6) oxides on plant growth and phosphorus (P, CAS. No. 7723-14-0), As and Fe uptake by maize ( Zea mays L.) were studied on simulating medium As-polluted soils in greenhouse. Different amounts (0, 5, 10, 20, 40 g kg − 1 ) of iron tailings (IT) were added. The results showed that IT20 and IT40 addition significantly increased mycorrhizal infection rate, plant biomass, root length and P, Fe uptake under FM treatment; IT40 addition decreased As concentration in roots. In addition, FM inoculation increased biomass, root length and P uptake by shoots, but decreased Fe and As concentration in shoots. Therefore, the combined FM inoculation and IT40 addition promoted maize growth and decreased As concentration in shoots by decreasing As absorption efficiency, increasing P and Fe uptake and P/As ratio.