title: Bacterial Cr(VI) reduction concurrently improves sunflower (Helianthus Annuus L.) growth.
abstract: Four Cr(VI)-reducing bacterial strains (Ochrobactrum intermedium, CrT-2, CrT-3 and CrT-4) previously isolated from chromium-contaminated sites were inoculated on to seeds of sunflower (Helianthus annuus var SF-187), which were germinated and grown along with non-inoculated controls with chromate salts (300 microg CrCl3 or K2CrO4 ml(-1)). Severe reduction (20%) in seed germination was observed in Cr(VI) stress. Plant height decreased (36%) with Cr(VI) when compared with chromium-free control, while O. intermedium inoculation resulted a 20% increment in this parameter as compared to non-inoculated chromium-free control. CrT-3 inoculation resulted a 69% increment in auxin content as compared to non-inoculated control. O. intermedium caused 30% decrease in chromium uptake in sunflower plant roots under Cr(VI) stress as compared to chromium-free control plants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, University of the Punjab, Quaid-e-Azam Campus, 54590 Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Faisal
authors.forename: Shahida
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hasnain
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002712:Chlorides / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D002840:Chromates / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D002857:Chromium / Q000378:metabolism*; D017608:Chromium Compounds / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D018525:Germination / Q000187:drug effects; D006368:Helianthus / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D007210:Indoleacetic Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D042041:Ochrobactrum / Q000378:metabolism*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D018520:Plant Shoots / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D017680:Potassium Compounds / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D012639:Seeds / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D002712:Chlorides; D002840:Chromates; D017608:Chromium Compounds; D007210:Indoleacetic Acids; D010940:Plant Proteins; D017680:Potassium Compounds; D002857:Chromium; C027373:potassium chromate(VI); C017133:chromous chloride