This research work was aimed at isolating and demonstrating the significant potential of autochthonous fungi for phytoextraction of hazardous metals in metal polluted soil using Helianthus annuus. Four multi-metal resistant strains of Trichoderma were selected from a total of 21 strains isolated from tannery polluted soil and tannery solid waste. Autochthonous Trichoderma strains were used singly and in the form of consortium (TC). Sunflower was grown in pots for 90 days having eight different amendments of tannery polluted soil with and without Trichoderma inoculation. Growth and biochemical attributes of the plants were observed along with metal content extract by different plant parts. The results revealed that TC enhanced shoot length, shoot dry weight, and metal uptake as compared to single specie inoculation. Similarly, BCF (72.8-118.23%) and TF were significantly pronounced in shoots of H. annuus grown with TC at 40% amended soil. The biochemical analysis of the plants showed that Trichoderma strains boosted the enzymatic (catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase) antioxidants in the plants. The use of indigenous fungi with metal accumulating plants like sunflower can help to alleviate metal contamination from industrial sites and can make the soil cultivable for energy crops.
Keywords: Antioxidant activities; Trichoderma atrobrunneum; metal stress; synergistic interaction.
The genus Trichoderma is among the most common cosmopolitan soil fungi that enhance phytoextraction capability of plants. Hence, the isolation and identification of diversified and potent Trichoderma strains from contaminated environments is the need of the hour for broad spectrum applications in bioremediation. In the present study, contaminated soil mycoflora was explored and multi-metal resistant strains of Trichoderma were isolated. Their application in myco-assisted phytoextraction with Helianthus annuus was assessed to analyze their impact on the metal removal efficacy and enhancing growth in highly contaminated soil.