Corn-Domesticated Bacteria Synergy Removes Pyrene and Enhances Crop Biomass: A Sustainable Farmland Remediation Strategy

Lu Gao, Charles Obinwanne Okoye, Feiyue Lou, Bonaventure Chidi Ezenwanne, Yanfang Wu, Xunfeng Chen, Yongli Wang, Xia Li and Jianxiong Jiang ()
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Lu Gao: Biofuels Institute, School of Environment & Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, No. 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Charles Obinwanne Okoye: Biofuels Institute, School of Environment & Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, No. 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Feiyue Lou: Biofuels Institute, School of Environment & Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, No. 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Bonaventure Chidi Ezenwanne: Biofuels Institute, School of Environment & Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, No. 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Yanfang Wu: Biofuels Institute, School of Environment & Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, No. 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Xunfeng Chen: Biofuels Institute, School of Environment & Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, No. 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Yongli Wang: Biofuels Institute, School of Environment & Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, No. 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Xia Li: Biofuels Institute, School of Environment & Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, No. 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Jianxiong Jiang: Biofuels Institute, School of Environment & Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, No. 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, China

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 19, 1-22

Abstract: High-molecular-weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), such as pyrene, are persistent environmental pollutants that threaten soil health and agricultural productivity due to their resistance to degradation. This study evaluated the efficacy of domesticated bacteria isolated from contaminated farmland soil and activated sludge, used alone and in combination with corn ( Zea mays L.), to remove pyrene from soil, enhance plant growth, improve tolerance, and ensure crop safety. Six bacterial strains were isolated: three from polluted farmland soil (WB1, WB2, and WF2) and three from activated sludge (WNB, WNC, and WH2). High-throughput 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing profiled bacterial communities after 30 days of treatment. Analytical tools, including LEfSe, random forest, and ZiPi analyses, identified biomarkers and core bacteria associated with pyrene degradation, assessing their correlations with plant growth, tolerance, and pyrene accumulation in corn straw. Bacteria from activated sludge (WNB, WNC, and WH2) outperformed farmland soil-derived strains and the inoculant strain ETN19, with WH2 and WNC achieving 65.06% and 87.69% pyrene degradation by days 15 and 30, respectively. The corn–bacteria consortium achieved up to 97% degradation. Activated sewage sludge (ASS)-derived bacteria were more effective at degrading pyrene and enhancing microbial activity, while soil-derived bacteria better promoted plant growth and reduced pyrene accumulation in straw. Microbial communities, dominated by Proteobacteria, exhibited high species richness and resilience, contributing to xenobiotic degradation. The corn-domesticated bacteria consortia effectively degraded pyrene, promoted plant growth, and minimized pollutant accumulation in crops. This remediation technology offers a promising strategy for rapid and sustainable bioremediation of agricultural soils contaminated with organic compounds such as PAHs or other complex pollutants, while promoting the development of efficient bacterial communities that enhance crop growth.

Keywords: pyrene; soil contamination; combined bioremediation; domesticated bacteria; sustainable agriculture (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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