The objective of this study was to explore the effect of heavy metal-resistant bacteria and biochar (BC) on reducing heavy metal accumulation in vegetables and the underlying mechanism. We tested Bacillus thuringiensis HC-2, BC, and BC+HC-2 for their ability to immobilize Cd and Pb in culture solution. We also studied the effects of these treatments on the dry weight and Cd and Pb uptake of radish in metal-contaminated soils under field conditions and the underlying mechanism. Treatment with HC-2, BC, and BC+HC-2 significantly reduced the water-soluble Cd (34-56%) and Pb (31-54%) concentrations and increased the pH and NH4+ concentration in solution compared with their vales in a control. These treatments significantly increased the dry weight of radish roots (18.4-22.8%) and leaves (37.8-39.9%) and decreased Cd (28-94%) and Pb (22-63%) content in the radish roots compared with the control. Treatment with HC-2, BC, and BC+HC-2 also significantly increased the pH, organic matter content, NH4+ content, and NH4+/NO3- ratio of rhizosphere soils, and decreased the DTPA-extractable Cd (37-58%) and Pb (26-42%) contents in rhizosphere soils of radish. Furthermore, BC+HC-2 had higher ability than the other two treatments to protect radish against Cd and Pb toxicity and increased radish biomass. Therefore, Bacillus thuringiensis HC-2 combined with biochar can ensure vegetable safety in situ for the bioremediation of heavy metal-polluted farmland.
Keywords: Bacillus thuringiensis; biochar; heavy metal; plant growth-promoting bacteria; radish.