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Effect of Cd-tolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobium on plant growth and Cd uptake by Lolium multiflorum Lam. and Glycine max (L.) Merr. in Cd-contaminated soil

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Abstract

Background and aims

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have been widely studied for agricultural applications. One aim of this study was to isolate cadmium (Cd)-tolerant bacteria from nodules of Glycine max (L.) Merr. grown in heavy metal-contaminated soil in southwest of China. The plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits and the effects of the isolate on plant growth and Cd uptake by legume and non-legume plants in Cd-polluted soil were investigated.

Methods

Cd-tolerant bacteria were isolated by selective media. The isolates were identified by 16S rRNA gene and phylogenetic analysis. The PGR traits of the isolates were evaluated in vitro. Cd in soil and plant samples was determined by ICP-MS.

Results

One of the most Cd-tolerant bacteria simultaneously exhibited several PGP traits. Inoculation with the PGPR strain had positive impacts on contents of photosynthesis pigments and mineral nutrients (Fe or Mg) in plant leaves. The shoot dry weights of Lolium multiflorum Lam. increased significantly compared to uninoculated control. Furthermore, inoculation with the PGPR strain increased the Cd concentrations in root of L. multiflorum Lam. and extractable Cd concentrations in the rhizosphere, while the Cd concentrations in root and shoot of G. max (L.) Merr. significantly decreased.

Conclusions

This study indicates that inoculation with Cd-tolerant PGPR can alleviate Cd toxicity to the plants, increase Cd accumulation in L. multiflorum Lam. by enhancing Cd availability in soils and plant biomass, but decrease Cd accumulation in G. max (L.) Merr. by increasing Fe availability, thus highlighting new insight into the exploration of PGPR on Cd-contaminated soil.

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Acknowledgments

This research was financially supported by Chinese National Natural Science Foundation (41001191) and the Central Public Research Institutes Basic Funds for Research and Development (Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, People’s Republic of China

    Junkang Guo & Jie Chi

  2. Centre for Research in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Remediation, Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture, Tianjin, 300191, People’s Republic of China

    Junkang Guo

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  1. Junkang Guo
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  2. Jie Chi
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Correspondence to Jie Chi.

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Responsible Editor: Euan K. James.

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Guo, J., Chi, J. Effect of Cd-tolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobium on plant growth and Cd uptake by Lolium multiflorum Lam. and Glycine max (L.) Merr. in Cd-contaminated soil. Plant Soil 375, 205–214 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-013-1952-1

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