PLANT - MICROBE INTERACTION FOR RECLAMATION OF POLYAROMATIC
HYDROCARBONS (PAHS) IN CONTAMINATED SOIL
Sandeep Bisht, Shivesh Sharma, V. Kumar, S.S. Bisht and B.P Nautiyal
Department of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, VCSG College of Horticulture, Bharsar campus,
Uttarakhand University of Horticulture & Forestry, Bharsar, Pauri, Uttarakhand, India
Abstract
Total eight endophytic bacteria were isolated from the roots of P. deltoides growing in non
contaminated sites at natural vegetation of Garhwal Himalayas, Uttarakhand, India. Out of these only
SBER3 isolate was able to metabolize wide range polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and other
hydrocarbon used in the study
viz. antracene, napthalene, benzene, chrysene, benzene, toulene and xylene on minimal
salt basal medium (MSB) as sole carbon and energy source. It was identified as Bacillus sp. on the basis of 16s rDNA
sequence. Including this Bacillus sp. SBER3 also produced IAA, phosphate solubilization, siderophore and ACC
deaminase. Along with these traits Bacillus sp SBER3 also inhibited the fungal phytopathogen. Microscopic
examination under the influence of Bacillus sp. SBER3 revealed abnormalities in case of R. solanii, F. oxysporum and
M. phaseolina. However, mean growth rate and survival under varying osmotic stress regime were also evaluated under
vitro condition. Rhizoremediation potential of Bacillus sp. SBER3 was also demonstrated in hydrocarbon amended soil
model system and it showed significant enchancement in shoot length, root length, root and shoot biomass including
stem girth of Populus plant respective to control and concurrently decreased the concentration PAH in soil as estimated
by HPLC analysis. Finally, a multipurpose bioinoculant was formulated by using Bacillus sp. SBER3 isolate in six
different lignocellulosic solid carrier's material for proper bioculture dissemination in bioremediation along with growth
enhancement and protection against deleterious pathogen of P. deltoides in PAH contaminated environment.
Keywords: PAH, Bacillus sp., Populus deltoides, pgp, rhizoremediation, bioinoculant.