Uptake of 15 trace elements in arbuscular mycorrhizal marigold measured bythe multitracer technique

The effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonization on the uptake of tra ce elements in marigold (Tagetes patula L,) was studied using a multitracer consisting of radionuclides of Be-7, Na-22, Sc-46, Cr-51, Mn-54, Fe-59, Co -56, Zn-65, As-74, Se-75, Rb-83, Sr-85, Y-88, Zr-88, and (TC)-T-95m, Marigo ld plants were grown under controlled environmental conditions in sand cult ure either without mycorrhizas or in association with an AM fungus, Glomus etunicatum, The multitracer was applied to the pot, and plants were harvest ed at 7 and 21 d after tracer application. We found that the uptake of Be-7 , Na-22, Cr-51, Fe-59, Zn-65, and Tc-95m was higher in the mycorrhizal mari golds than in the non-mycorrhizal ones, while that of Sc-46, Co-56, Rb-83, and S-85, was lower in the mycorrhizal marigolds than in the non-mycorrhiza l ones. Thus, the multitracer technique enabled to analyze the uptake of va rious elements by plant simultaneously. It is suggested that this technique could be used to analyze the effects of AM colonization on the uptake of t race elements by plant.