Reduction of phytotoxic effect of cadmium heavy metal by biomass of edible fungus, Armillaria tabescens

This study aimed to reduce the damage caused by Cd, the heavy metal, 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 + 10 g biomass) application, and A. tabescens (10 g 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 was high in the corn plants exposed to Cd heavy metal while it 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, carotenoid, total sugar, protein, and proline contents. Moreover, it was observed that only A. tabescens application contributed to the growth and development of corn plants. Our research findings showed 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.