Mechanisms of arsenic tolerance in plants: how do symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi reduce uptake?

土壤砷污染是由受污染的地下水灌溉、采矿和使用杀虫剂造成的主要问题。植物吸收导致进入食物链，对作物生长和人类健康造成严重后果。该项目将通过探索有益的植物-真菌共生体在减少吸收方面的作用，帮助寻找减少植物砷积累的机制。由于共生体的广泛存在，结果将与大多数农作物相关。该项目将加强与中国的合作，在砷中毒普遍存在的地方，在国际公认的实验室提供教育和培训，并提高澳大利亚在解决土壤污染方面的声誉。

Arsenic contamination of soil is a major problem caused by irrigation with contaminated ground-water, mining and application of pesticides. Plant uptake leads to entry into food chains, with severe consequences for crop growth and human health. This project will aid the search for mechanisms to reduce plant arsenic accumulation by exploring roles of beneficial plant-fungus symbioses in reducing uptake. Results will be relevant to most crop plants, because of the widespread occurrence of the symbioses. The project will enhance collaboration with China where arsenic toxicity is prevalent, provide education and training in an internationally recognised laboratory and enhance Australia's reputation for tackling soil contamination.