PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS IN ATTENUATION OF TOXIC WASTES IN THE ECOSYSTEMIKPONMWOSA O. EVBUOMWAN1, EHI G. STAN-LABO1 AND OGHENEROBOR B. AKPORAbstract Several toxic compounds, both organic and inorganic, which are produced as by-products, have the ability to contaminate the environment through either anthropogenic activities or natural processes leading to environmental pollution. The accumulation of these compounds has been associated with adverse human and animal health conditions including cancer. Plant-associated microorganisms (usually bacteria) such as endophytes and rhizospheric microbes have been reported to aid biodegradation of certain toxic compounds and show the potential to enhance phytoremediation technologies. There is a mutualistic relationship between plants and microbes in the rhizosphere - plants have the ability to provide root exudates which serve as nutrients for the microbes thereby aiding chemo taxis while rhizospheric microorganisms contribute to the growth of plants directly and indirectly. Conventional remediation techniques which usually involve excavation and transportation, are labour-intensive bringing about the need for ecofriendly and less laborious techniques. Inoculation of microorganisms with pollutant-degrading capabilities (either autochthonous or genetically engineered) working in conjunction with plants in contaminated environments has been considered a promising technology for remediation and in turn, has positive indications on human and animal health. The aim of this paper was to review the interaction of microbes and plants in the attenuation of toxic wastes. |