Mycorrhizal fungi and soil factors influence toxic element uptake in urban grown produce

Despite the need for more urban-grown produce, toxic elements contaminated soils continue to be a major barrier food production and sovereignty in urban areas continued health environmental justice issue. Although US EPA provides recommendations regarding levels of soil lead that are safe gardening, abiotic biotic factors as well plant identity play role determining actual crop uptake elements. This study evaluated identity, harvested tissue, factors, including arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on (Pb) arsenic (As) an community farm. Crop species varied their Pb As accumulations, both by also tissue. increased with lower pH (range 5.3–6.9) P 365–1771 mg kg−1 total P). For crops, greater intensity AM fungal colonization prevalence arbuscules were associated uptake, but presence storage vesicles was related less into leaves. These findings can help inform selection management improve stabilization moderately while serving platform conversations about importance healthy production.