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ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) are widely used in many applications, such as plastics, ceramics, glass, cement, rubber, lubricants, paints, pigments, batteries, fire retardants, catalysts, and anti-microbial agents. They directly or indirectly enter aquatic and terrestrial environments through application, accidental release, contaminated soil/sediments, or atmospheric fallouts. When present in excess, ZnO NPs can induce phytotoxicity and reduce plant growth and yields. ZnO NPs can also cause Zn accumulation in edible parts of food crops, and then subsequently enter human bodies and pose a significant health risk. Arbuscular mycorrhizae are ubiquitous symbiotic associations in nature formed between arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and most higher plants in terrestrial ecosystems. In addition to their well-known contribution to plant nutrient acquisition and growth, AM fungi can improve plant tolerance to various environmental stresses, but mycorrhizal effects vary with environmental conditions such as phosphorus status in both soil and plants. AM fungi have been shown to alleviate the negative effects of ZnO NPs and zinc accumulation in plants, however, the role of phosphorus fertilization has been neglected. A greenhouse pot culture experiment was conducted using maize as the test plant inoculated with or without AM fungus |
