Phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms to enhance phytoremediation of excess phosphorus pollution in phosphate mining wasteland soil

Remediation using plant-microbe interactions is an efficient and cost-effective technique. However, few studies have reported their effects in phosphate mining wastelands. In this study, two native phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms (PSM) (Trichoderma asperellum LZ1 and Serratia sp. LX2) and two native plants (Lolium perenne L. and Lactuca versicolor) were used to remediate excess phosphorus (P) contamination in phosphate mining wasteland soil. In pot experiments, PSM was found to increase P availability by reducing soil pH. The inoculation of strain LZ1 and LX2 significantly increased the total biomass of L. perenne L. by 41.73%, 6.27%, and 49.26%, respectively. Similarly, L. versicolor biomass also increased by 17.51%, 11.67%, and 41.16%, respectively. In addition, the root, shoot length, and chlorophyll content of L. perenne L. and L. versicolor were also significantly higher than those of the treatments inoculated without PSM. In PSM-inoculated soils, the P accumulation in L. perenne L. and L. versicolor was 11.71 and 5.54 mg/pot, respectively. The findings in this study showed that T. asperellum LZ1 and Serratia sp. LX2 could effectively promote the growth of L. perenne L. and L. versicolor, and increase the P accumulation in plants, which would be beneficial to the phytoremediation of excess P contamination in phosphate mining wasteland.

Automated summary

Remediation using plant-microbe interactions is an effective method for restoring phosphate mining wastelands. This study showed that native phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms could increase phosphorus availability in soil, enhance plant growth, and promote phosphorus accumulation in plants, thus aiding in the phytoremediation of excess phosphorus contamination in phosphate mining wasteland.