Abstract
Soil salinity and the indiscriminate use of agrochemicals has significantly reduced the productivity of the ‘Chinampas’ agroecosystem in Mexico City. Crop improvement under these stressful conditions may be achieved by soil bioremediation. In this study, we checked the effects of the organochlorine pesticide endosulfan and bioremediation with Penicillium crustosum or a citric waste on the growth of Phaseolus leptostachyus plants in saline soil from the Chinampas area. Biochemical markers associated with specific stress responses were also determined after one month of growth in the different substrates. Plant growth was stimulated by bioremediation of the soil. Both biostimulants reduced the degree of stress affecting the plants, as shown by the increase in photosynthetic pigments and the reduction of proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), and H2O2 contents, and the activation of antioxidant systems. However, the biostimulants appeared to mitigate oxidative stress through different mechanisms. Endosulfan contamination inhibited seed germination—which was reverted to control values in the presence of the biostimulants—and further decreased plant growth. No clear patterns of variation of biochemical stress markers were observed combining endosulfan and the biostimulants. In any case, bioremediation with P. crustosum and/or citric waste is recommended to improve the germination and growth of P. leptostachyus plants.
Highlights
Xochimilco is an area southeast of Mexico City, a remnant of an ancient wetland region consisting of five lakes that has suffered anthropogenic alterations over the last 2000 years
The productivity of crops cultivated in this area is affected by the salinity of the soil and, presumably, by the excessive use of agrochemicals, such as the organochlorine pesticide endosulfan
We show that soil salinity negatively affects the growth of Phaseolus leptostachyus plants and that bioremediation of the saline soil with the fungus Penicillium crustosum or a citric waste stimulates plant growth
Summary
Xochimilco is an area southeast of Mexico City, a remnant of an ancient wetland region consisting of five lakes that has suffered anthropogenic alterations over the last 2000 years. Due to overexploitation of water resources, the water level decreased To mitigate this problem, since 1959, the water level has been raised using wastewater, which contains a high concentration of salts, toxic metals, and endocrine disruptors such as organochlorinated pesticides [3,4]. Since 1959, the water level has been raised using wastewater, which contains a high concentration of salts, toxic metals, and endocrine disruptors such as organochlorinated pesticides [3,4] These actions resulted in a sharp increase in water salinity in the canals, which was often reported to be around 0.5 g per liter [5]. Plant growth on saline soils is directly affected by the osmotic stress and ion toxicity components of salt stress, to which most plant species, including all standard crops, are susceptible [11]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
