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BIOREMEDIATION - Part I
Minerva Biotecnologica 2001 March;13(1):37-9
Copyright © 2001 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA
language: English
Rhizospheric bacteria promote sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) plant growth and tolerance to heavy metals
Shilev S. I. 1, Ruso J. 2, Puig A. 4, Benlloch M. 3, Jorrin J. 2, Sancho E. 1
1 Department of Microbiology, ETSIAM, Universidad de Córdoba, Cordoba, Spain; 2Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, ETSIAM, Universidad de Córdoba, Cordoba, Spain; 3 Department of Agronomy, ETSIAM, Universidad de Córdoba, Cordoba, Spain; 4 Department of Microbiology, Centro de Investigación y Formación Agrária, Cordoba, Spain, EMIR-UCO (Multidisciplinary Research Project on Phytoremediation), Agronomy and Forest Science High Technical School, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
Background. It is known that rhizospheric microrganisms increase tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses, in general, and to heavy metals, in particular. As part of multidisciplinary research project on phytoremediation, carried out at the EMIR-UCO group, involvement of rhizospheric bacteria on plant tolerance to toxic metals has been evaluated.
Methods. Different bacteria populations have been obtained from roots and surrounding soil in a metal contaminated area (Aznalcóllar, Southern Spain). These populations have been characterized with respect to their tolerance to heavy metals (As, Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu). Six, out of the 60 populations evaluated, have been selected because of their ability to tolerate the maximum doses tested. Tolerance was general and not selective to specific metals. By using sunflower as experimental model system in greenhouse experiments, the effects of the metal tolerant bacteria populations on plant growth, plant tolerance and heavy metals accumulation have been evaluated.
Results. Higher growth and biomass development were obtained when the selected bacteria were added to the soil. At the highest metal doses, a reduction in chlorophyll content was occasionally observed, being these symptoms clearly manifested in treatments with addition of selected bacteria. With respect to heavy metals accumulation, an increase in metal uptake and/or translocation to the aerial part of the plants was measured, being this clearly affected in the case of the addition of Zn, in the presence of selected bacteria.
Conclusions. Work in progress, is now focused in the identification of the different bacteria populations, and the elucidation of mechanisms involved in the increased tolerance of metals in plants in the presence of mixed selected populations.