Differential Rhizospheric Physiological and Microbiological Response of Jatropha curcas to Crude Oil. A Versatile Phytoremedial Species

This study evaluated the effect of crude oil (CO) on plant height, number of total leaves, and basal diameter for 27 weeks, and at week 27 on leaf area, number of total roots, root length, root dry matter, aerial dry matter, bacterial population, actinomycetes, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungy (AMF), and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) removal to propose indices as a basis for toxicity protocols and phytoremediation technologies using Jatropha curcas L. A microtunnel experiment was established for 27 weeks to evaluate the effect of seven doses of oil on the plant. CO inhibited the height and number of leaves, a longer time in the adaptation phase and a shorter time in the linear phase, compared to the control. The basal diameter showed adaptation in the linear phase in all treatments and was stimulated by the first four doses of CO at weeks 19 to 27. Plant height, total leaves, and dry matter, at week 27, were inhibited by CO, with relative toxicity indexes