Mitigation of Cadmium Uptake in Cocoa Seedlings (Theobroma Cacao L.) Through Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Symbiosis of Contaminated Soils

In this study, the impact of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis on the attenuation of cadmium (Cd) uptake in T. cacao L. seedlings grown under greenhouse con-ditions was evaluated. Cd concentrations were found to be positively related to Cd content in seedling height, aerial biomass, root biomass, and leaf number. However, within the concentration range used, the presence of Cd does not have an adverse effect on the variables analyzed. The plant has a high potential to ac-cumulate Cd in its leaves and roots, which is corroborated by the strong correla-tions observed between Cd in the soil and its content in the aerial parts. However, an inverse relationship is observed between Cd concentrations and the transloca-tion factor, indicating that the higher the concentration of Cd in the soil, roots and leaves, the lower its transfer to the aerial parts. Ten genera of arbuscular mycorrhizae were identified in symbiosis with cocoa seedlings, and the seedlings were 100% colonized in all treatments. The presence of mycorrhizae contributed significantly to the phytostabilization of Cd in the rhizosphere of cocoa plants. These results suggest that arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis may be an effective strategy to reduce Cd uptake in T. cacao L. seed-lings and contribute to Cd phytostabilization in contaminated soils. Further re-search is required to evaluate the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis on Cd uptake under different soil and pH conditions.