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Phytoremediation: plant-endophyte partnerships take the challenge

Journal Article · · Current Opinion in Biotechnology

A promising field to exploit plant-endophyte partnerships is the remediation of contaminated soils and (ground) water. Many plant growth promoting endophytes can assist their host plant to overcome contaminant-induced stress responses, thus providing improved plant growth. During phytoremediation of organic contaminants, plants can further benefit from endophytes possessing appropriate degradation pathways and metabolic capabilities, leading to more efficient contaminant degradation and reduction of both phytotoxicity and evapotranspiration of volatile contaminants. For phytoremediation of toxic metals, endophytes possessing a metal-resistance/sequestration system can lower metal phytotoxicity and affect metal translocation to the above-ground plant parts. Furthermore, endophytes that can degrade organic contaminants and deal with or, even better, improve extraction of the metals offer promising ways to improve phytoremediation of mixed pollution.

Research Organization:
BROOKHAVEN NATIONAL LABORATORY (BNL)
Sponsoring Organization:
LABORATORY-DIRECTED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-98CH10886
OSTI ID:
1040235
Report Number(s):
BNL--90167-2009-JA; YN0100000
Journal Information:
Current Opinion in Biotechnology, Journal Name: Current Opinion in Biotechnology Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 20; ISSN 0958-1669
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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