Abstract Background Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can regulate metal(loid) tolerance in plants and their capacity for phytoremediation. These efects can vary depending on the host plant and the AMF species. The impact of different AMF species on the ability of safower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) for arsenic (As) phytoremediation is still largely unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the efect of two AMF species, Rhizophagus irregularis, and Funneliformis mosseae, on the tolerance and accumulation of As in safower in soils spiked with varying arsenate concentrations (0, 25, 50, and 100 mg kg−1). Results The results indicated that both AMF species established efective symbiotic relationships with safower. However, plants inoculated with R. irregularis exhibited higher mycorrhizal dependency and root colonization, especially under 100 mg kg−1 As. Both AMF species signifcantly improved plant growth parameters, chlorophyll content, and phosphorus (P) nutrition, which resulted in increased P/As ratio and enhanced tolerance index in safower plants. In addition, AMF inoculation reduced As-induced lipid peroxidation by enhancing catalase and peroxidase activity in leaves and roots. While the mycorrhizal symbiosis didn’t afect As availability in soils, it signifcantly reduced shoot As concentration and the translocation factor under all As levels. Furthermore, mycorrhizal inoculation, especially with R. irregularis, increased As concentration and modifed-bioconcentration factor in the roots and enhanced total As uptake per plant. Conclusions Based on the results and multivariate analyses, both AMF species, particularly R. irregularis, enhanced safower’s As tolerance by retaining As in roots, improving phosphorus nutrition, and increasing antioxidant enzyme activity, showcasing their potential to enhance phytostabilization in safower plants.
