Cadmium stress causes differential effects on growth and the secretion of carbon-degrading enzymes in four mycorrhizal basidiomycetes.

We hypothesised that cadmium exposure would hinder growth and secretion of carbon-degrading enzymes by mycorrhizal fungi, and that this would vary according to their tolerance to cadmium stress. The enzymes measured were β-Glucosidase, β-Xylosidase, β-D-cellubiosidase, N-acetyl-β-Glucosaminidase in three strains of ectomycorrhizal fungi , sp., sp. and a feremycorrhizal fungus . Fungi were subjected to cadmium stress for 28 d (in modified Melin-Norkrans liquid medium). The results showed unanticipated differential response of enzyme activities among the fungal species, including potential hormesis effects. showed an increase in enzyme activity under cadmium stress.