Microbial Spectra, Physiological Response and Bioremediation Potential of Phragmites australis for Agricultural Production

Abstract

Common reed (Phragmites australis) can invade and dominate in its natural habitat which is mainly wetlands. It can tolerate harsh environments as well as remediate polluted and environmental degraded sites such as mine dumps and other polluted wastelands. For this reason, this can be a very critical reed to reclaim wastelands for agricultural use to ensure sustainability. The present review manuscript examined the microbial spectra of P. australis as recorded in various recent studies, its physiological response when growing under stress as well as complementation between rhizosphere microbes and physiological responses which result in plant growth promotion in the process of phytoremediation. Microbes associated with P. australis include Proteobacteria, Bacteriodetes, and Firmicutes, Fusobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Planctomycetes families of bacteria among others. Some of these microbes and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi have facilitated plant growth and phytoremediation by P. australis. This is worthwhile considering that there are vast areas of polluted and wasted land which require reclamation for agricultural use. Common reed with its associated rhizosphere microbes can be utilized in these land reclamation efforts. This present study suggests further work to identify microbes which when administered to P. australis can stimulate its growth in polluted environments and help in land reclamation efforts for agricultural use.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars physiological, biochemical performance and yield parameters response to acid mine water irrigation and soil physiochemical properties

“…This may be due to lime and fly ash's beneficial benefits in reducing soil acidity, as they are well-known for their strong acid-neutralizing capabilities, which can effectively eliminate existing acid, increase biological activity, and minimize heavy metal toxicity 52 , 56 . For instance, a study conducted by 57 , applying lime to acid soil increased barley height, fresh biomass, dry biomass, grain yields, harvest index, and P-uptake. Furthermore, the use of lime enhanced maize growth and yield, owing to the reduction in Al toxicity.…”

“…Like in these findings 20 , also observed variation in the chlorophyll response when different cultivars of potato were treated with AMD water. This could be linked to crops' physiological responses to stress, which vary depending on the type and level of crops, as well as the type of crops involved 57 . The chlorophyll content (chlorophyll a & b) determined on the leaf of the selected cultivars was significantly affected by long-term irrigation with the different quicklime AMD treatments.…”