Efficacy of fungal consortium from Tezpur litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) in remediation of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd)contaminated soil

We investigated mycoremediation potential of endophytic and rhizospheric fungi from Tezpur litchi in lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) contaminated soil. Fungal strains Aspergillus aculeatus, Penicillium citrinum, Fusarium solani, and two Mycelia sterilia documented high Pb (> 95%) and Cd (> 85%) absorption capacities. The consortium developed by using these fungal strains was applied to Pb (75, 100 and 150 mg kg⁻¹) and Cd (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mg kg⁻¹) contaminated soil under tomato cultivation till the flowering stage of the plants. Applied consortium increased fungal colony-forming units (CFUs) by 2–3 folds. It also significantly (p ≤ 0.05) enhanced shoot biomass (upto 132.8% under Pb and 80.1% under Cd) of tomato plants. Consortia reduced the accumulation of Pb in tomato plants upto 64.16%, while Cd uptake decreased (upto 10.31%). Significant (p ≤ 0.05) improvement in photosynthesis rates of tomato plants was noted under Pb exposure (upto 58.8%) than Cd (upto 9.2%) due to application of consortium. The results highlight the potential of the tested endophytic and rhizospheric fungal strains from Tezpur litchi for remediating Pb in contaminated soils. Additionally, the study suggests the possible application of the fungal consortium for Cd phytoextraction using hyperaccumulator plants, thereby paving the way for sustainable heavy metal remediation strategies.