Cd immobilization and reduced tissue Cd accumulation of rice (Oryza sativa wuyun-23) in the presence of heavy metal-resistant bacteria

- Bacillus megaterium H3 and Neorhizobium huautlense T1-17 immobilized Cd in solution.
- H3 and T1-17 decreased the available Cd content of the rhizosphere soil.
- H3 and T1-17 decreased Cd bioconcentration factor and grain Cd uptake of the rice.
- Strain T1-17 had higher ability to reduce grain Cd uptake of the rice than strain H3.

Two metal-resistant Bacillus megaterium H3 and Neorhizobium huautlense T1-17 were investigated for their immobilization of Cd in solution and tissue Cd accumulation of rice (Oryza sativa wuyun-23) in the Cd-contaminated soil. Strains H3 and T1-17 decreased 79-96% of water-soluble Cd in solution and increased grain biomass in the high Cd-contaminated soil. Inoculation with H3 and T1-17 significantly decreased the root (ranging from 25% to 58%), above-ground tissue (ranging from 13% to 34%), and polished rice (ranging from 45% to 72%) Cd contents as well as Cd bioconcentration factor of the rice compared to the controls. Furthermore, H3 and T1-17 significantly reduced the exchangeable Cd content of the rhizosphere soils compared with the controls. Notably, strain T1-17 had significantly higher ability to reduce Cd bioconcentration factor and polished rice Cd uptake than strain H3. The results demonstrated that H3 and T1-17 decreased the tissue (especially polished rice) Cd uptake by decreasing Cd availability in soil and Cd bioconcentration factor and the effect on the reduced polished rice Cd uptake was dependent on the strains. The results may provide an effective synergistic bioremediation of Cd-contaminated soils in the bacteria and rice plants and bacterial-assisted safe production of rice in Cd-contaminated soils.