Research Projects

Lead (Pb) is a prevalent heavy metal in the environment, considered a hazardous pollutant after arsenic. It can cause health issues in humans, including heart, kidney, brain, and gastrointestinal systems. Exposure to Pb can occur through occupational and environmental sources, including inhalation, soil dust, water, and food. Plants can absorb Pb, which builds up in their tissues, particularly in leafy vegetables, particularly spinach. Leafy vegetables are more likely to have high Pb concentrations in their tissues when cultivated near urban or industrial areas. Microbial remediation, such as Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), can help mitigate Pb in plants. serendipita indica, an AMF-like endophytic fungus, has been shown to protect rice and tomato plants from arsenic toxicity. This study aims to investigate the Pb tolerance potential in s. indica and its use in Pb mitigation in leafy vegetable spinach.