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The present study was undertaken in a constructed wetland (CW), setup in a tourism house, for domestic wastewater treatment. The influence of season variations on the abundance of fecal indicator organisms (total coliforms and Escherichia coli) in the wastewater and in the substrate and the roots of plants inhabiting the inlet and outlet zones of the CW was evaluated along three consecutive years. The structure and diversity of bacterial communities associated to the CW’s substrate of inlet and outlet zones was also analyzed overtime. Wastewater was characterized for physicochemical and microbiological parameters and the bacterial communities colonizing the substrate surface, were analyzed by Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE). The CW was effective in removing COD, BOD5, TSS, PO4 3−, NH4 +, NO3 −, and NO2 −. It was also effective in removing fecal indicators, with a generalized decrease of total coliforms and E. coli in the substrate and in the wastewater from inlet to outlet of up to 2–3 log. The structure and composition of bacterial communities associated with the substrate was mainly influenced by the year rather than by the season or the CW zone.
Cristina Calheiros; Sofia Pereira; Albina Franco; Paula Castro. Spatial-Temporal Changes in Removal of Fecal Indicators and Diversity of Bacterial Communities in a Constructed Wetland with Ornamental Plants. Applied Sciences 2021, 11, 3875 .
AMA StyleCristina Calheiros, Sofia Pereira, Albina Franco, Paula Castro. Spatial-Temporal Changes in Removal of Fecal Indicators and Diversity of Bacterial Communities in a Constructed Wetland with Ornamental Plants. Applied Sciences. 2021; 11 (9):3875.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCristina Calheiros; Sofia Pereira; Albina Franco; Paula Castro. 2021. "Spatial-Temporal Changes in Removal of Fecal Indicators and Diversity of Bacterial Communities in a Constructed Wetland with Ornamental Plants." Applied Sciences 11, no. 9: 3875.
Drought is one of the major abiotic stresses that affects crop yield worldwide. An eco-friendly tool that can broadly improve plants' tolerance to water stress is bioionocula comprising plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). In this study, the effect of two PGPR Cupriavidus necator 1C2 (B1) and Pseudomonas fluorescens S3X (B2), singly and/or co-inoculated at two inocula sizes (S1 - 3 × 103 cells g−1 dry weight (dw) soil and S2 - 3 × 106 cells g−1 dw soil), on growth, nutrient uptake, and use efficiency was assessed in maize (Zea mays L.) plants grown at three levels of irrigation (80% of water holding capacity (WHC) – well-watered, 60% of WHC - moderate water deficit stress, and 40% of WHC - severe water deficit stress) in a greenhouse experiment. The impact of water deficit and bioinoculants on soil microbial activity (fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis) was also evaluated. Moderate and severe water deficit negatively affected soil microbial activity, as well as, maize growth, by reducing plants' shoot biomass and increasing root/shoot ratio at 60 and 40% of WHC. Bioinoculants mitigated the negative effects on shoot biomass, especially when PGPR were co-inoculated, increasing up to 89% the aerial biomass of plants exposed to moderate water deficit. Bioinoculation also increased nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) use efficiency, which may have led to higher maize growth under water deficit conditions. The size of the inocula applied had marginal influence on biometric and nutrient parameters, although the higher concentration of the mixture of PGPR was the most effective in improving shoot biomass under moderate water deficit. This study shows that rhizobacterial strains are able to increase nutrient use efficiency and to alleviate water stress effects in crops with high water demands and have potential applications to keep up with productivity in water stress scenarios.
S.I.A. Pereira; D. Abreu; H. Moreira; A. Vega; P.M.L. Castro. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) improve the growth and nutrient use efficiency in maize (Zea mays L.) under water deficit conditions. Heliyon 2020, 6, 1 .
AMA StyleS.I.A. Pereira, D. Abreu, H. Moreira, A. Vega, P.M.L. Castro. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) improve the growth and nutrient use efficiency in maize (Zea mays L.) under water deficit conditions. Heliyon. 2020; 6 (10):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleS.I.A. Pereira; D. Abreu; H. Moreira; A. Vega; P.M.L. Castro. 2020. "Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) improve the growth and nutrient use efficiency in maize (Zea mays L.) under water deficit conditions." Heliyon 6, no. 10: 1.
Mine tailings pose a huge hazard for environmental and human health, and the establishment of vegetation cover is crucial to reduce pollutant dispersion for the surroundings. However, their hostile physicochemical conditions hamper plant growth, compromising phytoremediation strategies. This study aims to investigate the role of organo-mineral amendments and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on the improvement of mine tailings properties and Lolium perenne L. (ryegrass) growth. Plants were grown in mine tailings mixed with an agricultural soil (1:1), 10% compost, and supplied with two different inorganic amendments – rock phosphate (6%) or lime (3%), and inoculated with the rhizobacterial strains Tetrathiobacter kashmirensis BKM20 (B1) and Mesorhizobium tamadayense BKM04 (B2). The application of organo-mineral amendments ameliorated tailings characteristics, which fostered plant growth and further enhanced soil fertility and microbial activity. These findings were consistent with the increase of total organic carbon levels, with the higher numbers of heterotrophic and phosphate solubilizing bacteria, and higher dehydrogenase and urease activities, found in these substrates after plant establishment. Plant growth was further boosted by PGPR inoculation, most noticeable by co-inoculation of both strains. Moreover, inoculated plants showed increased activities for several antioxidant enzymes (catalase, peroxidase, polyphenoloxidase and glutathione reductase) which indicate a reinforced antioxidant system. The application of agricultural soil, compost and lime associated with the inoculation of a mixture of PGPR proved to enhance the establishment of vegetation cover, thus promoting the stabilization of Kettara mine tailings. Nonetheless, further studies are needed in order to confirm its effectiveness under field conditions.
L. Benidire; A. Madline; S.I.A. Pereira; P.M.L. Castro; A. Boularbah. Synergistic effect of organo-mineral amendments and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on the establishment of vegetation cover and amelioration of mine tailings. Chemosphere 2020, 262, 127803 .
AMA StyleL. Benidire, A. Madline, S.I.A. Pereira, P.M.L. Castro, A. Boularbah. Synergistic effect of organo-mineral amendments and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on the establishment of vegetation cover and amelioration of mine tailings. Chemosphere. 2020; 262 ():127803.
Chicago/Turabian StyleL. Benidire; A. Madline; S.I.A. Pereira; P.M.L. Castro; A. Boularbah. 2020. "Synergistic effect of organo-mineral amendments and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on the establishment of vegetation cover and amelioration of mine tailings." Chemosphere 262, no. : 127803.
Salt-affected soils are a major problem worldwide for crop production. Bioinocula such as plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can help plants to thrive in these areas but interactions between them and with soil conditions can modulate the effects on their host. To test potential synergistic effects of bioinoculants with intrinsically different functional relationships with their host in buffering the effect of saline stress, maize plants were grown under increasing soil salinity (0–5 g NaCl kg−-1 soil) and inoculated with two PGPB strains (Pseudomonas reactans EDP28, and Pantoea alli ZS 3-6), one AMF (Rhizoglomus irregulare), and with the combination of both. We then modelled biomass, ion and nutrient content in maize plants in response to increasing salt concentration and microbial inoculant treatments using generalized linear models. The impacts of the different treatments on the rhizosphere bacterial communities were also analyzed. Microbial inoculants tended to mitigate ion imbalances in plants across the gradient of NaCl, promoting maize growth and nutritional status. These effects were mostly prominent in the treatments comprising the dual inoculation (AMF and PGPB), occurring throughout the gradient of salinity in the soil. The composition of bacterial communities of the soil was not affected by microbial treatments and were mainly driven by salt exposure. The tested bioinocula are most efficient for maize growth and health when co-inoculated, increasing the content of K+ accompanied by an effective decrease of Na+ in plant tissues. Moreover, synergistic effects potentially contribute to expanding crop production to otherwise unproductive soils. Results suggest that the combination of AMF and PGPB leads to interactions that may have a potential role in alleviating the stress and improve crop productivity in salt-affected soils.
Helena Moreira; Sofia I.A. Pereira; Alberto López Vega; Paula M.L. Castro; Ana P.G.C. Marques. Synergistic effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and plant growth-promoting bacteria benefit maize growth under increasing soil salinity. Journal of Environmental Management 2019, 257, 109982 .
AMA StyleHelena Moreira, Sofia I.A. Pereira, Alberto López Vega, Paula M.L. Castro, Ana P.G.C. Marques. Synergistic effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and plant growth-promoting bacteria benefit maize growth under increasing soil salinity. Journal of Environmental Management. 2019; 257 ():109982.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHelena Moreira; Sofia I.A. Pereira; Alberto López Vega; Paula M.L. Castro; Ana P.G.C. Marques. 2019. "Synergistic effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and plant growth-promoting bacteria benefit maize growth under increasing soil salinity." Journal of Environmental Management 257, no. : 109982.
Mining areas are low-quality habitats for macro- and microorganisms’ development, mainly due to the degradation of the soil quality by metal pollution. The present work aimed to analyze the influence of metal contamination and of plant species on the rhizospheric microbial communities of four indigenous metallophytes (Ononis natrix, Haloxylon scoparium, Peganum harmala, and Aizoon canariense) growing along a metal contamination gradient in Kettara mine near Marrakech, Morocco. In pyrrhotite mining areas (Kettara mine, Morocco), rhizosphere soil samples were collected from four predominant indigenous metallophytes (O. natrix, H. scoparium, P. harmala, and A. canariense) growing along a metal contamination gradient (ZC, control zone; Z1, high metal contamination; Z2, moderate metal contamination; Z3, low metal contamination). Microbial communities were analyzed by using microbial counts and by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The physicochemical properties (pH, conductivity, total organic carbon, nitrogen, P Olsen, and metal concentrations) of soils were also determined. The physicochemical analysis revealed that rhizospheric soils from Z1, Z2, and Z3 were relatively poor in nutrients as they presented low levels of total organic carbon and nitrogen, organic matter and available P. Moreover, these rhizospheric soils showed high concentrations of metals, especially Cu and Pb, which significantly reduced the abundance of the different groups of soil microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes) and the activity of soil dehydrogenase. The analysis of bacterial communities by DGGE revealed that bacterial diversity was not negatively affected by metal contamination being higher in the most contaminated area (Z1). Overall, the microbial abundance, the composition, and the diversity of rhizospheric bacterial communities were more influenced by the environmental factors in sampling zones than by plant cover. Microbial counts and enzymatic activity were both systematically affected throughout the metal gradient, evidencing as good indicators of the harmful effects of anthropogenic disturbances in soils. H. scorparium and P. harmala proved to be good candidates for the development of phytotechnological programs aiming the revegetation of mining degraded areas.
Leila Benidire; Sofia I. A. Pereira; Ahmed Naylo; Paula M. L. Castro; Ali Boularbah. Do metal contamination and plant species affect microbial abundance and bacterial diversity in the rhizosphere of metallophytes growing in mining areas in a semiarid climate? Journal of Soils and Sediments 2019, 20, 1003 -1017.
AMA StyleLeila Benidire, Sofia I. A. Pereira, Ahmed Naylo, Paula M. L. Castro, Ali Boularbah. Do metal contamination and plant species affect microbial abundance and bacterial diversity in the rhizosphere of metallophytes growing in mining areas in a semiarid climate? Journal of Soils and Sediments. 2019; 20 (2):1003-1017.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLeila Benidire; Sofia I. A. Pereira; Ahmed Naylo; Paula M. L. Castro; Ali Boularbah. 2019. "Do metal contamination and plant species affect microbial abundance and bacterial diversity in the rhizosphere of metallophytes growing in mining areas in a semiarid climate?" Journal of Soils and Sediments 20, no. 2: 1003-1017.
The increased use of fertilisers is a well-known problem; linked to this, there is an always higher demand for phosphorus (P). Because of this, it is crucial to use P from all possible sources and, if necessary, turn it into a soluble form, available for plants/crops. In this paper we report the use of aerobic phosphate solubilising bacteria (PSB) on the scales of the tilapia (Copton rendalli) fish, a waste from the food industry; this is the first time that PSB were employed on fish scales to mediate the available P. The scales were calcined to 700 °C to obtain a nanoscale powdery material (more easily solubilised), made of hydroxyapatite, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2, a calcium phosphate with very low solubility. Seventeen different PSB strains were tested for their ability to solubilise phosphate (commercial tricalcium phosphate - TCP) and hydroxyapatite from fish scale (FSHA). The best performing bacterial strain (Acidovorax oryzae ZS 1-7) led to a P solubilisation more than 60 times higher than the negative control - at 325 mg/L, almost 40 % of the available P was solubilised – one of the highest increased efficiencies reported for PBS. Such solubilisation was linked to a decrease of the pH to more acidic values of about 4. The strain ZS 1-7 showed higher P solubilisation efficiency with fish-derived FSHA than with commercial TCP. This approach showed a promising strategy for the valorisation of residues of the fish industry, turning them into a source of P, to be used for sustainable agriculture.
C. A. Santana; C. Piccirillo; S.I. A. Pereira; R.C. Pullar; S.M. Lima; P.M. L. Castro. Employment of phosphate solubilising bacteria on fish scales – Turning food waste into an available phosphorus source. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering 2019, 7, 103403 .
AMA StyleC. A. Santana, C. Piccirillo, S.I. A. Pereira, R.C. Pullar, S.M. Lima, P.M. L. Castro. Employment of phosphate solubilising bacteria on fish scales – Turning food waste into an available phosphorus source. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. 2019; 7 (5):103403.
Chicago/Turabian StyleC. A. Santana; C. Piccirillo; S.I. A. Pereira; R.C. Pullar; S.M. Lima; P.M. L. Castro. 2019. "Employment of phosphate solubilising bacteria on fish scales – Turning food waste into an available phosphorus source." Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering 7, no. 5: 103403.
Constructed wetlands (CWs) are biological wastewater treatment systems that comprise several components where plants and associated organisms play an important role in water depuration. Microbial studies emphasize bacterial dynamics, whereas studies of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are scarce and the functional role of AMF in aquatic and wetland plants is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to analyze the AMF communities colonizing the roots of Canna indica, Canna flaccida, and Watsonia borbonica inhabiting a CW treating wastewater of a tourism unit. The dynamics of the AMF communities were evaluated by Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) of 18S rRNA gene amplification products along cold (C) and hot (H) seasons for three consecutive years. DGGE profiles allowed the estimation of AMF species richness (S), and Shannon-Wienner (H) and Pielou (J) indexes, for the different plant species, showing differences between species and along the years. Excised bands from DGGE were analyzed and identified through sequencing for arbuscular mycorrhiza, revealing the presence of AMF strains closely related to Glomus sp., Rhizophagus sp. and Acaulospora sp. genera. Concomitant water quality analyses showed that the system was effective in organic and nutrient removal during the sampling period. Findings from this study suggest that AMF diversity found in the CW is influenced by the water constituents, season, and plant species.
Cristina S. C. Calheiros; Sofia I. A. Pereira; Albina R. Franco; Paula M. L. Castro. Diverse Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) Communities Colonize Plants Inhabiting a Constructed Wetland for Wastewater Treatment. Water 2019, 11, 1535 .
AMA StyleCristina S. C. Calheiros, Sofia I. A. Pereira, Albina R. Franco, Paula M. L. Castro. Diverse Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) Communities Colonize Plants Inhabiting a Constructed Wetland for Wastewater Treatment. Water. 2019; 11 (8):1535.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCristina S. C. Calheiros; Sofia I. A. Pereira; Albina R. Franco; Paula M. L. Castro. 2019. "Diverse Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) Communities Colonize Plants Inhabiting a Constructed Wetland for Wastewater Treatment." Water 11, no. 8: 1535.
The contamination of the soil with heavy metals (e.g. Zn) is a serious and crosscutting issue worldwide. Phytotechnologies can minimize the negative impact of this problem using plants and microorganisms in soil rehabilitation. However, the efficiency of proper plant-microbe combinations is usually assessed using spiked and/or sterilized soils, which do not mimic the conditions in situ, and therefore can lead to outcomes that will not be observed under field situations. This study aimed to quantify the effect of soil origin and sterilization on the performance of the two plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), Ralstonia eutropha 1C2 and Chryseobacterium humi ECP37, for promoting the growth and metal accumulation of maize plants. A two-experiment approach was applied: the PGPR were inoculated in maize plants growing in (i) sterilized soils spiked with Zn (0, 100, 500 and 1000 mg Zn kg−1); and in (ii) a field-contaminated soil, under sterilized and non-sterilized conditions (599 mg Zn kg−1). Biomass and Zn accumulation in the root and shoot, and Zn bioavailability in soils were determined. Additionally, lipid peroxidation, activity of antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were assessed in the shoots of plants grown in the field-contaminated soil, as well as the composition of the rhizospheric bacterial community. Zn in the soils negatively affected maize growth, and its effect was strongest in the field-contaminated soil. Overall, PGPR attenuated the negative effects of Zn by improving plant growth, although less pronounced in non-sterilized soils. Sterilization significantly reduced soil Zn availability and affected its' accumulation in plant tissues. Bioinoculants performance was also different in sterilized soil, i.e., bacteria had no effect in the accumulation of Zn but tended to increase the biomass of maize plants. Despite the higher Zn accumulation in shoot tissues, lipid peroxidation was lower whereas antioxidant enzymes were enhanced in non-sterilized soils, suggesting that plant antioxidant system functioned properly. PGPR tended to decrease the diversity of the rhizospheric community. This study highlights that while inoculation with PGPR is effective in increasing Zn bioavailability in soil, accumulation in the plant and maize growth in Zn-contaminated soils, the extent of their effect can be different depending on whether the soil is field-contaminated or metal spiked, and on whether is sterilized prior contaminated. Consequently, the effect of bacterial inoculants assessed exclusively in metal spiked soil and/or sterilized soil may be overestimated, and potentially not transferable to field conditions.
Helena Moreira; Sofia I.A. Pereira; Ana P.G.C. Marques; António O.S.S. Rangel; Paula M.L. Castro. Effects of soil sterilization and metal spiking in plant growth promoting rhizobacteria selection for phytotechnology purposes. Geoderma 2018, 334, 72 -81.
AMA StyleHelena Moreira, Sofia I.A. Pereira, Ana P.G.C. Marques, António O.S.S. Rangel, Paula M.L. Castro. Effects of soil sterilization and metal spiking in plant growth promoting rhizobacteria selection for phytotechnology purposes. Geoderma. 2018; 334 ():72-81.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHelena Moreira; Sofia I.A. Pereira; Ana P.G.C. Marques; António O.S.S. Rangel; Paula M.L. Castro. 2018. "Effects of soil sterilization and metal spiking in plant growth promoting rhizobacteria selection for phytotechnology purposes." Geoderma 334, no. : 72-81.
Cristina Calheiros; Sofia Pereira; Paula Castro. Culturable bacteria associated to the rhizosphere and tissues of Iris pseudacorus plants growing in a treatment wetland for winery wastewater discharge. Ecological Engineering 2018, 115, 67 -74.
AMA StyleCristina Calheiros, Sofia Pereira, Paula Castro. Culturable bacteria associated to the rhizosphere and tissues of Iris pseudacorus plants growing in a treatment wetland for winery wastewater discharge. Ecological Engineering. 2018; 115 ():67-74.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCristina Calheiros; Sofia Pereira; Paula Castro. 2018. "Culturable bacteria associated to the rhizosphere and tissues of Iris pseudacorus plants growing in a treatment wetland for winery wastewater discharge." Ecological Engineering 115, no. : 67-74.
Info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Carlos Pires; Albina R. Franco; Sofia Pereira; Isabel Henriques; António Correia; Naresh Magan; Paula Castro. Metal(loid)-Contaminated Soils as a Source of Culturable Heterotrophic Aerobic Bacteria for Remediation Applications. Geomicrobiology Journal 2017, 34, 760 -768.
AMA StyleCarlos Pires, Albina R. Franco, Sofia Pereira, Isabel Henriques, António Correia, Naresh Magan, Paula Castro. Metal(loid)-Contaminated Soils as a Source of Culturable Heterotrophic Aerobic Bacteria for Remediation Applications. Geomicrobiology Journal. 2017; 34 (9):760-768.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCarlos Pires; Albina R. Franco; Sofia Pereira; Isabel Henriques; António Correia; Naresh Magan; Paula Castro. 2017. "Metal(loid)-Contaminated Soils as a Source of Culturable Heterotrophic Aerobic Bacteria for Remediation Applications." Geomicrobiology Journal 34, no. 9: 760-768.
Cristina Sousa Coutinho Calheiros; Sofia Pereira; Hans Brix; António Rangel; Paula Castro. Assessment of culturable bacterial endophytic communities colonizing Canna flaccida inhabiting a wastewater treatment constructed wetland. Ecological Engineering 2017, 98, 418 -426.
AMA StyleCristina Sousa Coutinho Calheiros, Sofia Pereira, Hans Brix, António Rangel, Paula Castro. Assessment of culturable bacterial endophytic communities colonizing Canna flaccida inhabiting a wastewater treatment constructed wetland. Ecological Engineering. 2017; 98 ():418-426.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCristina Sousa Coutinho Calheiros; Sofia Pereira; Hans Brix; António Rangel; Paula Castro. 2017. "Assessment of culturable bacterial endophytic communities colonizing Canna flaccida inhabiting a wastewater treatment constructed wetland." Ecological Engineering 98, no. : 418-426.
Heavymetals, such as Cd and Zn, are spilled in soils by several anthropogenic sources, including mining activities. Their toxic effects can be minimized using plants especially when paired with plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), under phytomanagement strategies. Several factors can contribute to the failure of rhizobacterial inoculation, such as bacteria selection and the inoculum size. In this work five metal resistant PGPR (Ralstonia eutropha 1C2, Chryseobacteriumhumi ECP37, Pseudomonas fluorescens S3X, Rhizobiumradiobacter EC1B and Pseudomonas reactans EDP28) were investigated for their in vitro growth promoting traits and for their ability to induce growth of maize seedlings exposed to Zn and Cd. PGPR inoculumsize (10 and 20 mL) and inoculation effectiveness was assessed in energy maize sowed in a mine soil. The results showed that some bacteria only exhibited or enhanced PGP traits when exposed to metals. The bacterial strains ECP37 and EDP28 were the most efficient in improving seedling growth with increasing metal concentrations, followed by S3X. When inoculated in energy maize grown in mine soil, these same strains also outperformed the others by increasing shoot biomass and elongation, metal accumulation, and by decreasing it in roots. The most evident effect of doubling the inoculumsizewas the increase in Cd accumulation,whichwas of 17% and 31% in roots and shoots, respectively. Other effects included a slight reduction in shoots' biomass (13%) and a general decrease in P tissue content. The results obtained suggest that PGPR selection prior to inoculation in the target soils should be primarily based in seedling growth promotion undermetal exposure. Additionally, the size of the inoculumapplied in the soil rhizosphere appears to be important in remediation processes and should be taken into account when planning phytomanagement strategies, especially when the biomass of plants is an important demand.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Helena Moreira; Sofia I.A. Pereira; Ana P.G.C. Marques; António Rangel; Paula M.L. Castro. Selection of metal resistant plant growth promoting rhizobacteria for the growth and metal accumulation of energy maize in a mine soil — Effect of the inoculum size. Geoderma 2016, 278, 1 -11.
AMA StyleHelena Moreira, Sofia I.A. Pereira, Ana P.G.C. Marques, António Rangel, Paula M.L. Castro. Selection of metal resistant plant growth promoting rhizobacteria for the growth and metal accumulation of energy maize in a mine soil — Effect of the inoculum size. Geoderma. 2016; 278 ():1-11.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHelena Moreira; Sofia I.A. Pereira; Ana P.G.C. Marques; António Rangel; Paula M.L. Castro. 2016. "Selection of metal resistant plant growth promoting rhizobacteria for the growth and metal accumulation of energy maize in a mine soil — Effect of the inoculum size." Geoderma 278, no. : 1-11.
Soil salinization and fresh water scarcity are amongst the main environmental/agricultural problems, with serious consequences to plant productivity. Amelioration with microorganisms can enhance plant performance under salt conditions. The aim of this work was to evaluate the role of beneficial rhizospheric microorganisms on the growth of sunflower plants irrigated with salinized water with particular attention to nutrient balance and biochemical responses. Sunflower seedlings were inoculated with the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Rhizophagus irregularis, the rhizobacteria Chryseobacterium humi ECP37T, or the bacterial endophyte Ochrobacterium haematophilum ZR3-5, and with a mixed inocula of those microorganisms. Plant growth, nutrient accumulation and lipid peroxidation in plant tissues, and the activity of soil enzymes, were evaluated. Irrigating sunflower plants with saline water resulted in decreases in growth and negative effects in salt stress markers, however the application of bioinoculants enhanced biomass production and accumulation of K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, N and P, reduced Na+ levels in tissues and increased plant antioxidative response. This study contributes to devise inoculation strategies for sunflower cultivation in areas prone to salinization.
Sofia I.A. Pereira; Helena Moreira; Konstantinos Argyras; Paula M.L. Castro; Ana P.G.C. Marques. Promotion of sunflower growth under saline water irrigation by the inoculation of beneficial microorganisms. Applied Soil Ecology 2016, 105, 36 -47.
AMA StyleSofia I.A. Pereira, Helena Moreira, Konstantinos Argyras, Paula M.L. Castro, Ana P.G.C. Marques. Promotion of sunflower growth under saline water irrigation by the inoculation of beneficial microorganisms. Applied Soil Ecology. 2016; 105 ():36-47.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSofia I.A. Pereira; Helena Moreira; Konstantinos Argyras; Paula M.L. Castro; Ana P.G.C. Marques. 2016. "Promotion of sunflower growth under saline water irrigation by the inoculation of beneficial microorganisms." Applied Soil Ecology 105, no. : 36-47.
Soil heavy metal contamination resulting from mining activities constitutes a major environmental problem worldwide. The spread of heavy metals is often facilitated by scarce vegetation cover, so there is an urgent need to improve plant survival and establishment in these metalliferous areas. This study is aimed at the isolation and analysis of the phylogenetic relationship of culturable bacteria from the rhizosphere of metallophyte plants growing in the Kettara mine, in Marrakech, in order to select plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), which could be used in assisted-phytoremediation. Bacterial isolates were grouped by random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis and identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Strains were further characterized for the production of plant growth-promoting (PGP) substances, such as NH3, siderophores, indol-3-acetic acid (IAA), hydrogen cyanide, and extracellular enzymes, for ACC-deaminase activity, their capacity to solubilize phosphate, and for their tolerance to heavy metals and acidic pH. Rhizosphere soils were highly contaminated with Cu and Zn and presented low fertility. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the rhizobacteria were affiliated to three major groups: γ-Proteobacteria (48 %), β-Proteobacteria (17 %), and Bacilli (17 %). The most represented genera were Pseudomonas (38 %), Bacillus (10 %), Streptomyces (10 %), and Tetrathiobacter (10 %). Overall, rhizobacterial strains showed an ability to produce multiple, important PGP traits, which may be helpful when applied as plant growth promoter agents in contaminated soils. PGPR were also able to withstand high levels of metals (up to 2615.2 mg Zn l(-1), 953.29 mg Cu l(-1), and 1124.6 mg Cd l(-1)) and the order of metal toxicity was Cd > Cu > Zn. The rhizobacterial strains isolated in the present study have the potential to be used as efficient bioinoculants in phytoremediation strategies for the recovery of Kettara mine soils.
L. Benidire; S. I. A. Pereira; P. M. L. Castro; A. Boularbah. Assessment of plant growth promoting bacterial populations in the rhizosphere of metallophytes from the Kettara mine, Marrakech. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 2016, 23, 21751 -21765.
AMA StyleL. Benidire, S. I. A. Pereira, P. M. L. Castro, A. Boularbah. Assessment of plant growth promoting bacterial populations in the rhizosphere of metallophytes from the Kettara mine, Marrakech. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2016; 23 (21):21751-21765.
Chicago/Turabian StyleL. Benidire; S. I. A. Pereira; P. M. L. Castro; A. Boularbah. 2016. "Assessment of plant growth promoting bacterial populations in the rhizosphere of metallophytes from the Kettara mine, Marrakech." Environmental Science and Pollution Research 23, no. 21: 21751-21765.
Aromatic plants such as lavender are stirring the attention of many researchers due to their content in bioactive secondary metabolites that can be used in traditional medicine. However, information regarding naturally occurring lavender associated bacterial endophytes (BE) is limited. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study which aims to assess the phylogenetic diversity of the culturable endophytic bacteria of Lavandula dentata cultivated under organic management and to evaluate their potential as plant growth promoting (PGP) agents. BE were grouped by random amplified polymorphic DNA and identified by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. Endophytes were further characterized for the ability to produce several PGP substances, like ammonia, siderophores, indol-3-acetic acid, and hydrogen cyanide and for the ability to solubilize phosphate. Plant cell-wall degrading enzymes were also determined. Densities of BE were higher in roots (log 6.39 CFU g−1 fresh weight) than in shoots (log 5.56 CFU g−1 fresh weight). Phylogenetic analysis showed that BE were affiliated to two major groups: -Proteobacteria (50%) and Firmicutes (31.6%) and a small part belonged to - (7.9%) and -Proteobacteria (10.5%), being Pseudomonas and Bacillus the most highly represented genera. Higher bacterial diversity was found in the lavender roots, with endophytes belonging to 6 different genera (Pseudomonas, Variovorax, Rhizobium, Caulobacter, Bacillus and Paenibacillus), than in shoots where only 3 genera (Bacillus, Pseudomonas and Xanthomonas) were found. Overall, BE showed ability to produce extracellular enzymes and multiple PGP traits, suggesting their potential use as efficient bioinoculants in sustainable cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants
Sofia Pereira; Cristina Monteiro; Alberto López Vega; Paula Castro. Endophytic culturable bacteria colonizing Lavandula dentata L. plants: Isolation, characterization and evaluation of their plant growth-promoting activities. Ecological Engineering 2016, 87, 91 -97.
AMA StyleSofia Pereira, Cristina Monteiro, Alberto López Vega, Paula Castro. Endophytic culturable bacteria colonizing Lavandula dentata L. plants: Isolation, characterization and evaluation of their plant growth-promoting activities. Ecological Engineering. 2016; 87 ():91-97.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSofia Pereira; Cristina Monteiro; Alberto López Vega; Paula Castro. 2016. "Endophytic culturable bacteria colonizing Lavandula dentata L. plants: Isolation, characterization and evaluation of their plant growth-promoting activities." Ecological Engineering 87, no. : 91-97.
The use of heavy metals (HM) contaminated soils to grow energy crops can diminish the negative impact of HM in the environment improving land restoration. The effect of two PGPR (B1—Chryseobacterium humi ECP37T and B2—Pseudomonas reactans EDP28) and an AMF (F—Rhizophagus irregularis) on growth, Cd and Zn accumulation, and nutritional status of energy maize plants grown in a soil collected from an area adjacent to a Portuguese mine was assessed in a greenhouse experiment. Both bacterial strains, especially when co-inoculated with the AMF, acted as plant growth-promoting inoculants, increasing root and shoot biomass as well as shoot elongation. Cadmium was not detected in the maize tissues and a decrease in Zn accumulation was observed for all microbial treatments in aboveground and belowground tissues—with inoculation of maize with AMF and strain B2 leading to maximum reductions in Zn shoot and root accumulation of up to 48 and 43 %, respectively. Although microbial single inoculation generally did not increase N and P levels in maize plants, co-inoculation of the PGPR and the AMF improved substantially P accumulation in roots. The DGGE analysis of the bacterial rhizosphere community showed that the samples inoculated with the AMF clustered apart of those without the AMF and the Shannon-Wiener Index (H′) increased over the course of the experiment when both inoculants were present. This work shows the benefits of combined inoculation of AMF and PGPR for the growth energy maize in metal contaminated soils and their potential for the application in phytomanagement strategies.
Helena Moreira; Sofia I. A. Pereira; Ana P. G. C. Marques; António O. S. S. Rangel; Paula M. L. Castro. Mine land valorization through energy maize production enhanced by the application of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 2015, 23, 6940 -6950.
AMA StyleHelena Moreira, Sofia I. A. Pereira, Ana P. G. C. Marques, António O. S. S. Rangel, Paula M. L. Castro. Mine land valorization through energy maize production enhanced by the application of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2015; 23 (7):6940-6950.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHelena Moreira; Sofia I. A. Pereira; Ana P. G. C. Marques; António O. S. S. Rangel; Paula M. L. Castro. 2015. "Mine land valorization through energy maize production enhanced by the application of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi." Environmental Science and Pollution Research 23, no. 7: 6940-6950.
This study aimed at the isolation and characterization of metal(loid)‐tolerant bacteria from the rhizosphere of Phragmites australis and Juncus effusus plants growing in two long‐term contaminated sites in Northern Portugal. Site 1 had higher contamination than Site 3. Bacteria were isolated using metal(loid)‐supplemented (Cd, Zn, and As) media. Isolates were grouped by random amplified polymorphic DNA and identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Strains were also examined for their metal(loid) tolerance. The counts of metal(loid)‐tolerant bacteria were higher in Site 1 and ranged between log 7.17 CFU g−1 soil in As‐containing medium and log 7.57 CFU g−1 soil in Zn‐containing medium, while counts at Site 3 varied between log 5.33 CFU g−1 soil in Cd‐containing medium and log 6.97 CFU g−1 soil in As‐containing medium. The composition of bacterial populations varied between locations. In Site 1, the classes Actinobacteria (36%) and Bacilli (24%) were well represented, while in Site 3 strains were mainly affiliated to classes Actinobacteria (35%), γ‐Proteobacteria (35%), and β‐Proteobacteria (12%). The order of metal(loid) toxicity for the isolated strains was Cd > As > Zn. Overall, 10 strains grew at 500 mg Cd L−1, 1000 mg Zn L−1, and 500 mg As L−1, being considered the most metal(loid)‐tolerant bacteria. These strains belonged to genera Cupriavidus, Burkholderia, Novosphingobium, Sphingobacterium, Castellaniella, Mesorhizobium, Chryseobacterium, and Rhodococcus and were mainly retrieved from Site 1. The multiple metal(loid)‐tolerant strains isolated in this study have potential to be used in bioremediation/phytoremediation.
Sofia Pereira; Carlos Pires; Isabel Henriques; António Correia; Naresh Magan; Paula M.L. Castro. Assessment of rhizospheric culturable bacteria ofPhragmites australisandJuncus effususfrom polluted sites. Journal of Basic Microbiology 2015, 55, 1179 -1190.
AMA StyleSofia Pereira, Carlos Pires, Isabel Henriques, António Correia, Naresh Magan, Paula M.L. Castro. Assessment of rhizospheric culturable bacteria ofPhragmites australisandJuncus effususfrom polluted sites. Journal of Basic Microbiology. 2015; 55 (10):1179-1190.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSofia Pereira; Carlos Pires; Isabel Henriques; António Correia; Naresh Magan; Paula M.L. Castro. 2015. "Assessment of rhizospheric culturable bacteria ofPhragmites australisandJuncus effususfrom polluted sites." Journal of Basic Microbiology 55, no. 10: 1179-1190.
In this study, Pinus pinea seedlings mycorrhized with selected ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECMF), Pisolithus tinctorius and Suillus bellinii, were exposed to the herbicide benfluralin. Non-mycorrhized P. pinea seedlings and seedlings mycorrhized with ECMF were transferred to benfluralin-spiked soils at levels of 0.165, 1.65 and 16.5 mg kg(-1). Plant growth and the fungal role on plant antioxidant response were assessed. In the presence of benfluralin, higher plant growth was observed in mycorrhized plants compared to non-mycorrhized plants, but ECMF colonisation and nutrient uptake were affected by the herbicide. Benfluralin showed no effect on lipid peroxidation in P. pinea seedlings. However, seedlings mycorrhized with S. bellinii showed higher levels of lipid peroxidation when compared to non-mycorrhized ones, both in the presence and absence of benfluralin. The increase of lipid peroxidation could be related to seedling growth induced by the fungus and not to benfluralin toxicity. A similar trend was observed in seedlings mycorrhized with P. tinctorius when exposed to higher benfluralin concentrations, suggesting that the antioxidant response to benfluralin is related not only to fungus species, but also to the level of stress applied in the soil. The higher amount of superoxide dismutase activity in P. pinea seedlings tissues exposed to benfluralin could indicate a plant adaptative response to benfluralin toxicity. Catalase activity showed no increase with benfluralin exposure. Pre-established P. tinctorius mycorrhization conferred root protection and enhanced plant growth in benfluralin spiked soil, inferring that P. tinctorius - P. pinea association could advantageous for plant growth in soils contaminated with pesticides.
Albina R. Franco; Sofia I.A. Pereira; Paula M.L. Castro. Effect of benfluralin on Pinus pinea seedlings mycorrhized with Pisolithus tinctorius and Suillus bellinii – Study of plant antioxidant response. Chemosphere 2015, 120, 422 -430.
AMA StyleAlbina R. Franco, Sofia I.A. Pereira, Paula M.L. Castro. Effect of benfluralin on Pinus pinea seedlings mycorrhized with Pisolithus tinctorius and Suillus bellinii – Study of plant antioxidant response. Chemosphere. 2015; 120 ():422-430.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlbina R. Franco; Sofia I.A. Pereira; Paula M.L. Castro. 2015. "Effect of benfluralin on Pinus pinea seedlings mycorrhized with Pisolithus tinctorius and Suillus bellinii – Study of plant antioxidant response." Chemosphere 120, no. : 422-430.
Sofia Pereira; Paula Castro. Phosphate-solubilizing rhizobacteria enhance Zea mays growth in agricultural P-deficient soils. Ecological Engineering 2014, 73, 526 -535.
AMA StyleSofia Pereira, Paula Castro. Phosphate-solubilizing rhizobacteria enhance Zea mays growth in agricultural P-deficient soils. Ecological Engineering. 2014; 73 ():526-535.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSofia Pereira; Paula Castro. 2014. "Phosphate-solubilizing rhizobacteria enhance Zea mays growth in agricultural P-deficient soils." Ecological Engineering 73, no. : 526-535.
In this study, we evaluated the phylogenetic diversity of culturable bacterial endophytes of Zea mays plants growing in an agricultural soil contaminated with Zn and Cd. Endophytic bacterial counts were determined in roots and shoots, and isolates were grouped by random amplified polymorphic DNA and identified by 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing. Endophytes were further characterized for the production of plant growth-promoting (PGP) substances, such as NH3, siderophores, indol-3-acetic acid (IAA), hydrogen cyanide and extracellular enzymes, and for the capacity to solubilize phosphate. The endophytes producing higher amounts of IAA were screened for their tolerance to Zn and Cd and used as bioinoculants for maize seedlings grown in the Zn/Cd-contaminated soil. The counts of endophytes varied between plant tissues, being higher in roots (6.48 log10 g−1 fresh weight) when compared to shoots (5.77 log10 g−1 fresh weight). Phylogenetic analysis showed that endophytes belong to three major groups: α-Proteobacteria (31 %), γ-Proteobacteria (26 %) and Actinobacteria (26 %). Pseudomonas, Agrobacterium, Variovorax and Curtobacterium were among the most represented genera. Endophytes were well-adapted to high Zn/Cd concentrations (up to 300 mg Cd l−1 and 1,000 mg Zn l−1) and showed ability to produce several PGP traits. Strains Ochrobactrum haematophilum ZR 3-5, Acidovorax oryzae ZS 1-7, Frigoribacterium faeni ZS 3-5 and Pantoea allii ZS 3-6 increased root elongation and biomass of maize seedlings grown in soil contaminated with Cd and Zn. The endophytes isolated in this study have potential to be used in bioremediation/phytoremediation strategies.
Sofia I A Pereira; Paula M L Castro. Diversity and characterization of culturable bacterial endophytes from Zea mays and their potential as plant growth-promoting agents in metal-degraded soils. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 2014, 21, 14110 -14123.
AMA StyleSofia I A Pereira, Paula M L Castro. Diversity and characterization of culturable bacterial endophytes from Zea mays and their potential as plant growth-promoting agents in metal-degraded soils. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2014; 21 (24):14110-14123.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSofia I A Pereira; Paula M L Castro. 2014. "Diversity and characterization of culturable bacterial endophytes from Zea mays and their potential as plant growth-promoting agents in metal-degraded soils." Environmental Science and Pollution Research 21, no. 24: 14110-14123.