Rhizosphere microbial communities as a plant defense against toxic substances in soils
1994
Walton, B.T. | Hoylman, A.M. | Perez, M.M. | Anderson, T.A. | Johnson, T.R. | Guthrie, E.A. | Christman, R.F.
Vegetation often grows and proliferates in the presence of relatively high concentrations of organic compounds in soils. Experimental data from studies of plant-microbe interactions implicate the rhizosphere microbial community as an important exogenous line of defense for plants against potentially harmful chemicals in soils. Experimental data on the fate of numerous industrial and agricultural chemicals in the rhizospheres of several plant species are consistent with the hypothesis proposed herein that the metabolic activity of the rhizosphere microbial community may protect plants from toxicants in soil. Rhizosphere microbial communities are shown to enhance the associations of three 14C-PAHs with the combined humic and fulvic acid fraction of soil. Such an association could also reduce the bioavailability and potential phytotoxicity of the PAHs. Recommendations are formulated for conducting bioremediation studies of plant-microbe-toxicant interactions in the laboratory. These recommendations are a logical consequence of the hypothesis presented herein that the metabolic detoxication capabilities of the rhizosphere microbial community can protect plants against potentially toxic compounds present in soils.
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