Remediation of Metals-Contaminated Soil Using Biofertilizer (Trichoderma harzianum) and Its Biochemical Impact on (Spinacia oleracea)

Document Type : Original Article

Author

University College in Darb, Jazan University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Heavy metal contamination, particularly copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), poses significant risks to soil health and crop productivity. This study evaluated the efficacy of Trichoderma harzianum as a biofertilizer to mitigate Cu and Zn toxicity in Spinacia oleracea. Results showed a 22% reduction in Cu uptake and a 15% increase in chlorophyll content with T. harzianum inoculation. These findings highlight its potential for sustainable agriculture in polluted environments.
           Spinacia oleracea was cultivated in soil treated with varying concentrations (50, 100, and 200 ppm) of a copper-zinc mixture as sulfate salts, with and without T. harzianum. Results demonstrated improved plant growth, increased chlorophyll content, and enhanced enzymatic activities (catalase and peroxidase) with T. harzianum. Fatty acid composition, including elevated stearic, arachidic, and lignoceric acids, served as biomarkers of metal stress. Additionally, T. harzianum reduced metal uptake in plants (e.g., copper absorption decreased from 6.04% to 4.69%).
            This study highlights the potential of T. harzianum as an effective biofertilizer for mitigating metal toxicity and suggests plant metabolic changes as valuable biomarkers for environmental assessments.

Keywords

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics