Influence of arbuscular mycorrhiza and Rhizobium on phytoremediation by alfalfa of an agricultural soil contaminated with weathered PCBs: a field study

Int J Phytoremediation. 2010 Jul;12(5):516-33. doi: 10.1080/15226510903353120.

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to study the effects of inoculation with the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus caledonium and/or Rhizobium meliloti on phytoremediation of an agricultural soil contaminated with weathered PCBs by alfalfa grown for 180 days. Planting alfalfa (P), alfalfa inoculated with G. caledonium (P + AM), alfalfa inoculated with R. meliloti (P + R), and alfalfa co-inoculated with R. meliloti and G. caledonium (P+AM+R) decreased significantly initial soil PCB concentrations by 8.1, 12.0, 33.8, and 43.5%, respectively. Inoculation with R. meliloti and/or G. caledonium (P+AM+R) increased the yield of alfalfa, and the accumulation of PCBs in the shoots. Soil microbial counts and the carbon utilization ability of the soil microbial community increased when alfalfa was inoculated with R. meliloti and/or G. caledonium. Results of this field study suggest that synergistic interactions between AMF and Rhizobium may have great potential to enhance phytoremediation by alfalfa of an agricultural soil contaminated with weathered PCBs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biodegradation, Environmental / drug effects*
  • China
  • Medicago sativa / chemistry
  • Medicago sativa / drug effects
  • Medicago sativa / growth & development*
  • Mycorrhizae / growth & development
  • Mycorrhizae / physiology*
  • Plant Roots / chemistry
  • Plant Roots / drug effects
  • Plant Roots / growth & development
  • Plant Shoots / growth & development
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls / analysis
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls / pharmacology*
  • Rhizobium / physiology*
  • Soil Pollutants / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Soil Pollutants
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls