Impact of Microbial/Plant Interactions on the Transformation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Rhizosphere of Festuca Arundinacea

Abstract

The promotion of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) degradation was demonstrated in the rhizosphere of Festuca arundinacea with Pseudomonas fluorescens. P. fluorescens 5RL more significantly interacted with salicylate and dextrose in the agar containing tall fescue than agar without plant roots. Although the presence of tall fescue did not promote catabolic enzyme induction in the absence of salicylate, an increase in dioxygenase activity relative to no plant controls implies that this plant may enhance the degradation of PAHs or facilitate the genotypes that are capable of transforming PAH in the rhizosphere.

KEY WORDS::

• phytoremediation
• bioremediation
• PAHs
• rhizosphere
• microorganisms
• contamination
• soil
• plants

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This project was funded by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the Midwest Hazardous Substance Research Center, headquartered at Purdue University, West Lafeyette, IN, USA.

Notes

∗100 μL of 1 mg/mL dextrose or 5 mg/mL of salicylate were added to the agar.