title: Plant-microbe interactions: novel applications for exploitation in multipurpose remediation technologies.
abstract: Soil remediation that revitalizes degraded or contaminated land while simultaneously contributing to biomass biofuel production and carbon sequestration is an attractive strategy to meet the food and energy requirements of the burgeoning world population. As a result, plant-based remediation approaches have been gaining in popularity. The drawbacks of phytoremediation, particularly those associated with low productivity and limitations to the use of contaminant-containing biomass, could be addressed through novel biotechnological approaches that harness recent advances in our understanding of chemical interactions between plants and microorganisms in the rhizosphere and within plant tissues. This opinion article highlights three promising approaches that provide environmental and economic benefits of bioremediation: transgenics, low-input 'designer' plants and nanotechnology.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Abhilash
authors.forename: Jeff R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Powell
authors.forename: Harikesh B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Brajesh K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Singh
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria; D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000382:microbiology; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000382:microbiology*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D013559:Symbiosis
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D012989:Soil Pollutants