Improvement of rape (Brassica napus) plant growth and cadmium uptake by cadmium-resistant bacteria

This study focuses on the screening of cadmium-resistance bacterial strains from heavy metal-polluted soils to examine their plant growth promotion and cadmium uptake in rape (Brassica napus). A large number of bacteria were isolated from heavy metal-polluted soil in Nanjing, China. Thirty isolates showing cadmium-resistance on Cd-amended medium were selected and evaluated for their potential to solubilize cadmium carbonate in solution culture. Atomic absorption spectrometer analysis showed variable amounts of water-soluble Cd (ranging from 24 to 117 mg l(-1)) released by the cadmium-resistant bacterial strains from cadmium carbonate. Qualitative analysis confirmed the presence of indole acetic acid as the auxin in the culture of these cadmium-resistant bacterial strains. Root elongation assay conducted on rape under gnotobiotic conditions demonstrated increases (up to 31%) in root elongation of inoculated rape seedlings compared to the control plants. Based upon cadmium-resistance, bio-activation of CdCO3 and growth-promoting activity, three isolates were selected for promoting plant growth and uptake of cadmium from cadmium-amended soil in pot experiments. Inoculation with the isolates was found to increase root dry weight (ranging from 8% to 20%) and shoot dry weight (ranging from 6% to 25%) of rape. An increase in cadmium content varying from 16 to 74%, compared to the non-inoculated control, was observed in rape plants cultivated in soil treated with 100 mg Cd kg(-1) (as CdCl2) and inoculated with the isolates. The bacterial isolates were also able to colonize and develop in the rhizosphere soil of rape after root inoculation. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.