Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation and phosphorus fertilization on the growth of escarole (Cichorium endivia L.) in an arsenic polluted soil.

We have studied the effects of P fertilization and AMF inoculation on the growth of escarole (Chicorium endivia L.) plants, grown in both As-non-contaminated (Padula) and As-contaminated (La Botte) soils and As and P uptake by these plants. Our study demonstrated that the combined use of AMF inoculation and P fertilization can significantly increase the production of biomass of escarole plants, even if grown in highly As-contaminated soils. In addition, this dual agricultural practice has also allowed to reduce the translocation of the harmful element from roots to leaves minimizing, hence, the accumulation of highly toxic levels of As in the edible part of the escarole. Therefore, the combined use of AMF inoculation and P fertilization may alleviate the As toxicity to sensitive plants as Cichorium endivia, by promoting their growth, limiting As assimilation and improving P nutrition.