Microbe-EDTA mediated approach in the phytoremediation of lead-contaminated soils using maize (<i>Zea mays</i> L.) plants
Creators: name: Saiqa Menhas
name: Hayat, Kashif
name: Niazi, Nabeel Khan
name: Zhou, Pei
name: Amna
name: Bundschuh, Jochen
name: Naeem, Muhammad
name: Munis, Muhammad Farooq Hussain
name: Xijia Yang
name: Chaudhary, Hassan Javed
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2020
Subjects: subject: Biochemistry
subject: Microbiology
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
subject: Biotechnology
subject: Geology
subject: FOS: Earth and related environmental sciences
subject: FOS: Earth and related environmental sciences
subject: Ecology
subject: 110309 Infectious Diseases
subject: FOS: Health sciences
subject: FOS: Health sciences
subject: Plant Biology
subject: 60506 Virology

description: In the current study, we investigated the potential of <i>Cronobacter sakazakii-</i> ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) assisted phytoremediation potential of <i>Zea mays</i> L. to remediate lead (Pb)-contaminated soils. The <i>C. sakazakii</i> exhibited various stress tolerance mechanisms via plant growth promoting (PGP) traits, intrinsic extracellular enzyme production and antibiotic resistance. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to examine the dual effects of plant growth promoting endophytic bacteria (PGPEB)-chelator synergy in maize plants under different Pb contaminated soil regimes. <i>C. sakazaii</i>-EDTA (5 mM EDTA kg<sup>−1</sup>) complex significantly (<i>p</i> a, <i>b</i> and carotenoid contents (27.26%, 25.02% and 42.09%); relative water content (61.33%); proline content (63.60%); root and shoot Pb accumulation capacity (52.31% and 44.71%) in Pb contaminated soils. This may suggest the efficacy of current approach in enhancing plant tolerance capability toward Pb-uptake and phytoremediation capacity. Moreover, maize plants showed differential response to Pb availability in soil-1 (S1; Pb spiked soil, 500 mg kg<sup>−1</sup>) and soil-2 (S2; aged-contaminated soil) under various treatments. We describe the intriguing role of <i>C. sakazakii</i>-EDTA-maize system for Pb decontamination which can be used as a base line to explore the proposed combinatorial approach for long-term trails under field conditions for reclamation of Pb-contaminated soils.HighlightsThe PGPEB-EDTA mediated potential of <i>Z. mays</i> against Pb spiked and industrial contaminated soils is noticed.Increased tolerance of <i>Z. mays</i> against Pb in association with <i>C. sakazakii</i>, and EDTA is reported first time.Enhanced accumulation of metals by <i>Z. mays</i> is reported under combined treatment of <i>C. sakazakii</i>, and EDTA.Inoculation of plants with <i>C. sakazakii</i>, and EDTA has positive effects on growth and accumulation of Pb by <i>Z. mays</i>. The PGPEB-EDTA mediated potential of <i>Z. mays</i> against Pb spiked and industrial contaminated soils is noticed. Increased tolerance of <i>Z. mays</i> against Pb in association with <i>C. sakazakii</i>, and EDTA is reported first time. Enhanced accumulation of metals by <i>Z. mays</i> is reported under combined treatment of <i>C. sakazakii</i>, and EDTA. Inoculation of plants with <i>C. sakazakii</i>, and EDTA has positive effects on growth and accumulation of Pb by <i>Z. mays</i>.