Assessing the impact of plant growth-promoting bacteria Pseudomonas fluorescens and mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus spp.) on lead and zinc uptake in maize (Zea mays)

Heavy metal contamination poses a significant environmental threat to agricultural ecosystems, causing substantial disruptions to plant physiological processes and hindering healthy growth. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of growth-promoting bacteria Pseudomonas fluorescens and mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus spp.), both individually and in combination, on the absorption of lead and zinc in corn (Zea mays). The experiments were conducted in pots within the Plant Physiology Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Yasouj University. The experiment was conducted as a factorial design in a completely randomized setup with three replications. The experimental factor consisted of four treatment levels of bio-fertilizers: Control (no bio-fertilizer), mycorrhizal fungi, P. fluorescens bacteria, and a combined application of both bio-fertilizers. Physiological traits measured included heavy metal content (lead and zinc) in roots and shoots, leaf chlorophyll index, relative water content, electrolyte leakage percentage, and plant growth indices. The results indicated that the combined application of biofertilizers increased the lead content in corn roots by ۲.۰۱ times and in the aerial parts by ۴.۳۱ times relative to the control. However, this combined use of bio-fertilizers decreased the zinc content in both the roots and aerial parts of the corn plant. The combined application of bio-fertilizers increased the relative water content of corn plants by ۱۷.۸۳% compared to the control. The results conclude that the combined application of bio-fertilizers enhanced the extraction of lead by maize plants. These findings emphasize that biological approaches, particularly integrated ones, are crucial steps towards sustainable agriculture and effective soil pollution management.

کلیدواژه ها:

Bio-fertilizers ، Heavy metals ، Physiological traits ، Phytoremediation‎ ، صفات فیزیولوژیک ، فاکتور انتقال ، فلزات سنگین ، کود زیستی