Trichoderma sp. PDR1-7 promotes Pinus sylvestris reforestation of lead-contaminated mine tailing sites.
Vegetation is critical to stabilize and remediate mine tailing sites, but plant growth is often poor due to toxicity from heavy metal(loid)s (HMs). A non-symbiotic endophytic fungus, Trichoderma sp. PDR1-7, isolated from Pb-contaminated mine tailing soil, exhibited both high tolerance to HMs and desirable plant growth-promoting characteristics. PDR1-7 promoted HM solubilization in mine tailing soil and removed significant amounts of Pb and other HMs from liquid media containing single and multiple metals. Pb removal efficiency increased with initial pH from 4 to 6 and with Pb concentration from 100 to 125 mg L(-1). Inoculating soil with PDR1-7 significantly increased nutrient availability and seedling growth, chlorophyll and protein contents, as well as antioxidative enzyme (superoxide dismutase) activity. A decrease in malondialdehyde indicated less oxidative stress. HM concentrations were much higher in Pinus sylvestris roots when PDR1-7 was present. These observations suggest the utility of Trichoderma sp. PDR1-7 for pine reforestation and phytoremediation of Pb-contaminated mine soil.
Division of Biotechnology, Advanced Institute of Environment and Bioscience, College of Environmental and Bioresource Sciences, Chonbuk National University, Iksan 570-752, Republic of Korea.
A Giridhar
AG
Babu
School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583-0817, USA.
Patrick J
PJ
Shea
Division of Biotechnology, Advanced Institute of Environment and Bioscience, College of Environmental and Bioresource Sciences, Chonbuk National University, Iksan 570-752, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: btoh@jbnu.ac.kr.
Byung-Taek
BT
Oh
D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D016468:Forestry; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D008906:Mining; D041605:Pinus sylvestris / Q000382:microbiology / Q000502:physiology*; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D014242:Trichoderma / Q000502:physiology*
D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D007854:Lead; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase
Bioleaching; Heavy metal(loid); Non-symbiotic fungi; Pinus; Vegetation