BIOREMEDIATION OF HEAVY METALS FROM ENGINEERING INDUSTRY EFFLUENTS USING AM FUNGI AND ORGANIC AMENDMENTSRITU KEDIA AND *AMEETA SHARMAAbstract The present study was under taken to examine the effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) Glomus hoi and other available potential organic amendments on heavy metal (HM) found in abundance in engineering industry effluent on growth parameters of host wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) variety Raj4238 underpot trials. Two sets of experiments were planned to study effect of Iron and Chromium effect respectively in mycorrhizal and various organic amendments treated wheat plants. The dosage of both metals was framed on the basis of recommended levels for plants. The application of Glomus hoi showed significant bioremediation of metals and better growth, biomass, improved physiological state, followed by Neem oil cake, Rhizobacteria and Farm yard manure (FYM). In general, AM fungi accumulated high metal content in the host plants, protected them against metal toxicity and also improved the nutrients contents of plants. Thus, the study campaigns the use of AMF as compared to other organic amendments to bioremediate metals from sites where industrial effluents are discharged and to have better and safe soil, water environment. |