Open AccessBacterial endophyte‐mediated naphthalene phytoprotection and phytoremediation
Author(s) -
Germaine Kieran J.,
Keogh Elaine,
Ryan David,
Dowling David N.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2009.01637.x
Subject(s) - rhizosphere , phytoremediation , naphthalene , pseudomonas putida , germination , inoculation , endophyte , pollutant , phytotoxicity , biology , horticulture , soil contamination , pseudomonas , strain (injury) , botany , chemistry , contamination , bacteria , ecology , genetics , organic chemistry , anatomy
Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are major and recalcitrant pollutants of the environment and their removal presents a significant problem. Phytoremediation has shown much promise in PAH removal from contaminated soil, but may be inhibited because the plant experiences phytotoxic effects from low‐molecular‐weight PAHs such as naphthalene. This paper describes the construction of a naphthalene‐degrading endophytic strain designated Pseudomonas putida VM1441(pNAH7). This strain was found to be an efficient colonizer of plants, colonizing both the rhizosphere and interior root tissues. The inoculation of plants with P. putida VM1441(pNAH7) resulted in the protection of the host plant from the phytotoxic effects of naphthalene. When inoculated plants were exposed to naphthalene, both seed germination and plant transpiration rates were higher than those of the uninoculated controls. The inoculation of plants with this strain also facilitated higher (40%) naphthalene degradation rates compared with uninoculated plants in artificially contaminated soil.