The colonization of Hansschlegelia zhihuaiae S113 and its degradation of the herbicide chlorimuron-ethyl in the cucumber rhizosphere was investigated. The results reveal that S113 colonized the cucumber roots (2.14 × 105cells per gram of roots) and were able to survive in the rhizosphere (maintained for 20 d). The root exudates promoted colonization on roots and increased the degradation of chlorimuron-ethyl by S113. Five organic acids in cucumber-root exudates were detected and identified by HPLC. Citric acid and fumaric acid significantly stimulated S113 colonization on cucumber roots, with 18.4 and 15.5% increases, respectively, compared with the control. After irrigation with an S113 solution for 10 days, chlorimuron-ethyl could not be detected in the roots, seedlings, or rhizosphere soil, which allowed for improved cucumber growth. Therefore, the degradation mechanism of chlorimuron-ethyl residues by S113 in the rhizosphere could be applied in situ for the bioremediation of chlorimuron-ethyl contaminated soil to ensure crop safety.
Keywords: Hansschlegelia zhihuaiae S113; bioremediation; chlorimuron-ethyl; cucumber; degradation; root exudates.