title: Potential of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon-Degrading Bacterial Isolates to Contribute to Soil Fertility.
abstract: Restoration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon- (PAH-) polluted sites is presently a major challenge in agroforestry. Consequently, microorganisms with PAH-degradation ability and soil fertility improvement attributes are sought after in order to achieve sustainable remediation of polluted sites. This study isolated PAH-degrading bacteria from enriched cultures of spent automobile engine-oil polluted soil. Isolates' partial 16S rRNA genes were sequenced and taxonomically classified. Isolates were further screened for their soil fertility attributes such as phosphate solubilization, atmospheric nitrogen fixation, and indoleacetic acid (IAA) production. A total of 44 isolates were obtained and belong to the generaAcinetobacter,Arthrobacter,Bacillus,Flavobacterium,Microbacterium,Ochrobactrum,Pseudomonas,Pseudoxanthomonas,Rhodococcus, andStenotrophomonas. Data analysed by principal component analysis showed theBacillusandOchrobactrumisolates displayed outstanding IAA production. Generalized linear modelling statistical approaches were applied to evaluate the contribution of the four most represented genera (Pseudomonas,Acinetobacter,Arthrobacter, andRhodococcus) to soil fertility. ThePseudomonasisolates were the most promising in all three soil fertility enhancement traits evaluated and all isolates showed potential for one or more of the attributes evaluated. These findings demonstrate a clear potential of the isolates to participate in restorative bioremediation of polluted soil, which will enhance sustainable agricultural production and environmental protection.
authors: Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of Pretoria, Lynnwood Road, Hatfield, Pretoria 0002, South Africa; Agricultural Research Council-Institute for Soil, Climate and Water (ARC-ISCW), 600 Belvedere Street, Arcadia, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.
authors: Maryam
authors: 0000-0002-7716-3276
authors: M
authors: Bello-Akinosho
authors: Agricultural Research Council-Institute for Soil, Climate and Water (ARC-ISCW), 600 Belvedere Street, Arcadia, Pretoria 0001, South Africa; Department of Biotechnology, Vaal University of Technology, Vanderbijlpark 1900, South Africa.
authors: Rosina
authors: 0000-0002-1125-2989
authors: R
authors: Makofane
authors: Agricultural Research Council-Institute for Soil, Climate and Water (ARC-ISCW), 600 Belvedere Street, Arcadia, Pretoria 0001, South Africa; Unit for Environmental Science and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa.
authors: Rasheed
authors: 0000-0002-8974-422X
authors: R
authors: Adeleke
authors: Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of Pretoria, Lynnwood Road, Hatfield, Pretoria 0002, South Africa.
authors: Mapitsi
authors: 0000-0002-6212-2770
authors: M
authors: Thantsha
authors: Department of Biotechnology, Vaal University of Technology, Vanderbijlpark 1900, South Africa.
authors: Michael
authors: 0000-0003-1508-801X
authors: M
authors: Pillay
authors: Agricultural Research Council-Institute for Soil, Climate and Water (ARC-ISCW), 600 Belvedere Street, Arcadia, Pretoria 0001, South Africa; Centre for African Ecology, School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Wits 2050, South Africa.
authors: George Johannes
authors: GJ
authors: Chirima
mesh_terms: D001407:Bacillus / Q000378:metabolism*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D042041:Ochrobactrum / Q000378:metabolism*; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism*; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants