Cadmium stabilization by plant growth promotory fluorescent Pseudomonas in combination with Indian mustard var. Kranti

Abstract

Two cadmium resistant fluorescent Pseudomonas strains, originally isolated from oil contaminated sites were tested for their plant growth promotory properties and cadmium stabilization in combination with Indian mustard var kranti (Brassica juncea) in a pot experiment. Both the strains showed 99% homology to Pseudomonas aruginosa and were positive for all five plants growth properties like siderophore, IAA, hydrogen cyanide, Ammonia production and phosphate solubilization. Growth and health of plants in all the measured parameters under controlled conditions in insitu experiment was inhibited in the presence of cadmium, as indicated by a decrease in measured values of plant health. However, in the presence of fluorescent Pseudomonas strains, all the parameters of plant health showed improvement over the control with decrease in cadmium uptake by the plant as revealed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The presence of test strains stabilizes cadmium in the rhizosphere with less uptake of cadmium by the plants and siderophore property helps plant combat abiotic stress posed by cadmium. This technology [Phytobioremediation: Synergistic use of plants and microbes in bioremediation] enables the remediation of cadmium contaminated wastelands for raising Brassica plant for feed and fodder without any harm in combination with the test strains used in the present study.