Phytoremediation proficiency of Jatropha gossypifolia under the influence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on metal contaminated soil

Abstract

This investigation was performed to evaluate the metal pollution and possible phytoremediation on bauxite mine surrounding farmland soil. The quality analysis results revealed that, the soil has been polluted with metals such as Al (13.25 ± 0.54 mg kg−1), Pb (336.18 ± 7.17 mg kg−1), Zn (382.18 ± 3.05 mg kg−1), and Cd (11.32 ± 0.28 mg kg−1) and possess poor essential element content. The test bacterium Pseudomonas aeroginosa showed considerable metal tolerance up to 100 mg kg−1 concentration of metals such as Al, Pb, Zn, and Cd. Besides that, it also possesses essential plant growth promoting traits such as sederophore, IAA, nitrogen fixation, and phosphate solubilization. The test bacterium P. aeroginosa demonstrated optimistic influence on the growth and phytoremediation ability of Jatropha gossypifolia on metal-polluted soil under greenhouse experiment with different treatment groups (I–V). Group I (J. gossypifolia seeds coated with P. aeroginosa) showed outstanding phytoremediation potential on metal polluted soil than other treatment groups. The group I reduced considerable quantity of metals (Al 42.79%, Pb 36.57%, Zn 47.06%, and Cd 39.57%) from the treated soil. It was significantly higher than the remediation potential of other treatment groups (II–V). These findings suggest that P. aeroginosa's metal tolerant and PGP characters can effectively influence the growth and phytoremediation potential of J. gossypifolia on metal polluted soil.