Reduction of Copper Ion Phytotoxicity Using Rhodococcus-Biosurfactants

Abstract

Abstract—The effect of copper on the germination of seeds of several agricultural crops, such as common vetch (Vicia saliva L.), white mustard (Sinapis alba L.), and cultivated oat (Avena sativa L.), has been studied in the presence of Rhodoccocus-biosurfactants. According to the copper resistance, all the crops studied can be placed in the following series: cultivated oats > white mustard > common vetch. Copper concentrations equal to 50 MIC or higher provide a strong suppressing effect on the germination of seeds. According to the results of this study, preliminary treatment of seeds with Rhodococcus-biosurfactants, as well as seed germination in the presence of such biosurfactants under conditions of copper contamination provide a significant (up to 4.5-fold) increase in the germination rate, germinating energy, and viability of the seedlings of all three crops. Thus, a new environmentally friendly method for reduction of the toxic effect of copper on the growth of A. sativa, S. alba, and V. sativa by the use of Rhodococcus-biosurfactants has been developed.