How Beneficial Microbes Help Lentil Plants Thrive in Polluted Soil

Jim Crocker
23rd July, 2024

How Beneficial Microbes Help Lentil Plants Thrive in Polluted Soil

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study from Aligarh Muslim University explored how beneficial microbes affect lentil growth in regular and fly ash-amended soil
  • Adding 25% fly ash to soil significantly boosted lentil growth, but the best results were seen with Rhizobium and AMF inoculation
  • Microbial inoculation not only enhanced plant growth and physiological parameters but also reduced heavy metal uptake in lentils
Lentils are a crucial food crop worldwide, providing essential nutrients to millions. Enhancing their growth and resilience is vital for food security. Recent research from Aligarh Muslim University[1] investigates the impact of symbiotic microbes, specifically Rhizobium bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), on lentil growth in both regular soil and soil amended with fly ash. The study's primary goal was to determine how these microbes influence lentil growth and physiology, particularly in challenging environments like fly ash-amended soil. Fly ash, a byproduct of coal combustion, can improve soil properties but also introduces heavy metals like cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn), which can be harmful to plants. The researchers set up twenty-four treatments, including combinations of sterilized and unsterilized soil, with and without fly ash, and with different microbial inoculations. They found that adding 25% fly ash to the soil significantly increased plant growth. However, the most notable improvements were observed when lentils were also inoculated with Rhizobium and AMF. Plant growth parameters such as length, fresh and dry weight, chlorophyll and protein content, and nitrate reductase activity were all enhanced by microbial inoculation. This aligns with earlier findings that mycorrhizal fungi can boost plant growth and nutrient uptake[2]. Specifically, the AMF Funneliformis caledonius showed superior results compared to Glomus bagyarajii, leading to higher plant growth and physiological improvements while reducing heavy metal uptake. The study also noted that microbial parameters like nodule number and fresh weight, mycorrhizal root colonization, and spore numbers were significantly higher in plants inoculated with both Rhizobium and AMF. This dual inoculation synergistically improved plant performance, echoing previous research on the benefits of multiple mutualist interactions[2]. Interestingly, while fly ash increased the heavy metal content in plants, microbial inoculation significantly reduced the uptake of these metals. This finding is crucial as it suggests a potential strategy for mitigating heavy metal stress in crops grown in contaminated soils. Previous studies have shown that certain plants can tolerate and even thrive in heavy metal-rich environments[3], but this new research highlights the additional protective role of beneficial microbes. Moreover, the study's results are consistent with earlier research on the benefits of mycorrhizal fungi in enhancing plant tolerance to various stresses, including water deficits and heavy metal contamination[3][4]. For instance, mycorrhizal symbiosis has been shown to improve the nutritional quality of crops like lettuce under water stress[4]. Similarly, the current study demonstrates that microbial inoculation can enhance lentil growth and reduce heavy metal uptake, even in fly ash-amended soils. In conclusion, the research from Aligarh Muslim University provides valuable insights into the role of beneficial microbes in promoting lentil growth and reducing heavy metal uptake in challenging environments. By leveraging the synergistic effects of Rhizobium and AMF, particularly Funneliformis caledonius, farmers can potentially improve crop yields and safety in contaminated soils. This study not only builds on previous findings but also offers practical solutions for enhancing food security and environmental sustainability.

EnvironmentBiochemPlant Science

References

Main Study

1) Synergistic impact of Rhizobium and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on lentil plant tolerance to heavy metal-rich fly ash amended soil

Published 22nd July, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1007/s44372-024-00010-5

Related Studies

2) Multiple mutualist effects on genomewide expression in the tripartite association between Medicago truncatula, nitrogen-fixing bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi.

https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.13809

3) Assessment of biotransfer and bioaccumulation of cadmium, lead and zinc from fly ash amended soil in mustard-aphid-beetle food chain.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.01.186

4) Water deficit improved the capacity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) for inducing the accumulation of antioxidant compounds in lettuce leaves.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00572-011-0408-9


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