Plant-Microbe Partnerships for Enhanced Biodegradation of Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Plant–bacteria partnerships for the remediation of persistent organic pollutants

“…Recently, the combined use of plants and bacteria has been exploited to enhance the phytoremediation of soil and water contaminated with different organic pollutants (Afzal et al 2014b;Arslan et al 2014;Khan et al 2013b;Shehzadi et al 2014). Similarly, several studies were performed to explore the potential of plant-bacteria partnership for the remediation of POPscontaminated soil and water (Aken et al 2009;BecerraCastro et al 2013;Jha and Jha 2015;Jha et al 2014). Both rhizosphere and endophytic bacteria can enhance plant growth and POP degradation.…”

“…In such a relationship, rhizobacteria having catabolic genes feed upon the organic pollutants as a sole carbon source for their cell functioning and metabolism, whereas plants facilitate the survival of rhizobacteria by adjusting the rhizosphere environment through production of root exudates, rhizosphere oxidation, co-metabolite induction, H + /OH − ion excretion, organic acid production, and release of biogenic surfactants (Fig. 2) The plant-rhizobacteria interactions enhance the abundance and expression of catabolic genes in the rhizosphere, leading to an increase in mineralization, degradation, stabilization, and/or sequestration of variety of organic compounds including POPs (Jha and Jha 2015;Passatore et al 2014;Sprocati et al 2014;Yateem 2013). In addition to this, rhizobacteria possessing plant growth-promoting activities improve plant health and biomass production.…”

“…Recently, several studies have been conducted to explore the potential of plant-rhizobacteria partnerships for the remediation of POPs-contaminated soil and water (Abhilash et al 2013;Gerhardt et al 2009;Jha and Jha 2015;Qin et al 2014). Among POPs, PCBs that released into the environment as a consequence of their use as hydraulic fluids, plasticizers, adhesives, flame retardants, etc.…”