title: Efficient phytoremediation of organic contaminants in soils using plant-endophyte partnerships.
abstract: Soil pollution with organic contaminants is one of the most intractable environmental problems today, posing serious threats to humans and the environment. Innovative strategies for remediating organic-contaminated soils are critically needed. Phytoremediation, based on the synergistic actions of plants and their associated microorganisms, has been recognized as a powerful in situ approach to soil remediation. Suitable combinations of plants and their associated endophytes can improve plant growth and enhance the biodegradation of organic contaminants in the rhizosphere and/or endosphere, dramatically expediting the removal of organic pollutants from soils. However, for phytoremediation to become a more widely accepted and predictable alternative, a thorough understanding of plant-endophyte interactions is needed. Many studies have recently been conducted on the mechanisms of endophyte-assisted phytoremediation of organic contaminants in soils. In this review, we highlight the superiority of organic pollutant-degrading endophytes for practical applications in phytoremediation, summarize alternative strategies for improving phytoremediation, discuss the fundamental mechanisms of endophyte-assisted phytoremediation, and present updated information regarding the advances, challenges, and new directions in the field of endophyte-assisted phytoremediation technology.
authors.affiliation: Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Environment Pollution Control and Remediation Materials, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
authors.forename: Nai-Xian
authors.initials: NX
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.affiliation: Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Environment Pollution Control and Remediation Materials, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
authors.forename: Jiao
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Environment Pollution Control and Remediation Materials, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
authors.forename: Hai-Ming
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Environment Pollution Control and Remediation Materials, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
authors.forename: Yu-Ting
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Environment Pollution Control and Remediation Materials, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China. Electronic address: tchmo@jnu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Ce-Hui
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Mo
authors.affiliation: Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Environment Pollution Control and Remediation Materials, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
authors.forename: Quan-Ying
authors.initials: QY
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.affiliation: Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Environment Pollution Control and Remediation Materials, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
authors.forename: Yan-Wen
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Environment Pollution Control and Remediation Materials, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Environment Pollution Control and Remediation Materials, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Consortium on Health, Environment, Education and Research (CHEER), Department of Science and Environmental Studies, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Ming-Hung
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Wong
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D060026:Endophytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D063245:Plant Development; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism; D058441:Rhizosphere; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants
keywords: Co-metabolism; Endophyte; Omics; Organic contaminated soil; Phytoremediation