Enhanced phytoextraction of multi-metal contaminated soils under increased atmospheric temperature by bioaugmentation with plant growth promoting Bacillus cereus

The co-occurrence of environmental stresses such as heavy metals (HM) and increased atmospheric temperature (IAT) pose serious implications on plant growth and productivity. In this work, we evaluated the role of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) and its effectiveness on Zea mays growth, stress tolerance and phytoremediation potential in multi-metal (MM) contaminated soils under IAT stress conditions. The PGPB strain TCU11 was isolated from metal contaminated soils and identified as Bacillus cereus. TCU11 was able to resist abiotic stresses such as IAT (45 °C), MM (Pb, Zn, Ni, Cu, and Cd), antibiotics and induced in vitro plant growth promotion (PGP) by producing siderophores (catechol and hydroxymate) and indole 3-acetic acid even in the presence of MM under IAT. Inoculation of TCU11 significantly increased the biomass, chlorophyll, carotenoids, and protein content of Z. mays compared to the respective control under MM, IAT, and MM + IAT stress. A decrease of malondialdehyde and over-accumulation of total phenolics, proline along with the increased activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase and ascorbic peroxidase were observed in TCU11 inoculated plants under stress conditions. These results suggested MM and/or IAT significantly reduced the maize growth, whereas TCU11 inoculation mitigated the combined stress effects on maize performance. Moreover, the inoculation of TCU11 under IAT stress increased the MM (Pb, Zn, Ni, Cu, and Cd) accumulation in plant tissues and also increased the translocation of HM from root to shoot except for Ni. The results of soil HM mobilization further indicates that IAT increased the HM mobilizing activity of TCU11, thus increasing the concentrations of bio-available HM in soil. These results suggested that TCU11 not only alleviates MM and IAT stresses but also enhances the biomass production and HM accumulation in plants. Therefore, TCU11 can be exploited as inoculums for improving the phytoremediation efficiency in MM polluted soils under IAT conditions. [Display omitted] •Bacillus cereus TCU11 showed high levels of resistance to abiotic stresses.•TCU11 increased plant growth and tolerance to HM and IAT stress.•It enhanced phenolics, proline, and antioxidant enzymes, but reduced MDA in plants.•B. cereus improved HM phytoremediation under IAT condition.