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The use of transgenic canola (Brassica napus) and plant growth-promoting bacteria to enhance plant biomass at a nickel-contaminated field site

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Abstract

The applicability of transgenic plants and plant growth-promoting bacteria to improve plant biomass accumulation as a phytoremediation strategy at a nickel (Ni)-contaminated field site was examined. Two crops of 4-day old non-transformed and transgenic canola (Brassica napus) seedlings in the presence and absence of Pseudomonas putida strain UW4 (crop #1) or P. putida strain HS-2 (crop #1 and 2) were transplanted at a Ni-contaminated field site in 2005. Overall, transgenic canola had increased growth but decreased shoot Ni concentrations compared to non-transformed canola, resulting in similar total Ni per plant. Under optimal growth conditions (crop #2), the addition of P. putida HS-2 significantly enhanced growth for non-transformed canola. Canola with P. putida HS-2 had trends of higher total Ni per plant than canola without P. putida HS-2, indicating the potential usefulness of this bacterium in phytoremediation strategies. Modifications to the planting methods may be required to increase plant Ni uptake.

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Abbreviations

ACC:

1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate

C:

Control or non-transformed canola

T:

Transgenic canola

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Acknowledgments

This project was funded by a Strategic Grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada to B.R. Glick. We would like to thank Eric Azzopardi and Maria Bellantino-Perco for site co-ordination, Brian Emburgh and Co. and all the individuals from the University of Waterloo for field support. Special thanks to Rick Playle (Wilfrid Laurier University) for the use of the AA for nickel analysis. The use of transgenic canola (Confined Research Field Trial Application 05-UOW1-272-CAN), P. putida UW4 (Research Authorization #16578RN) and P. putida HS-2 (Research Authorization #16661RS) were authorized by the Plant Products Directorate, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ottawa, ON, Canada.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, N2L 3G1, Waterloo, ON, Canada

    Andrea J. Farwell, Susanne Vesely, Vincent Nero, Hilda Rodriguez, D. George Dixon & Bernard R. Glick

  2. Alberta Research Council, T9C 1T4, Vegreville, AB, Canada

    Saleh Shah

  3. Conestoga-Rovers and Associates Ltd., 651 Colby Drive, N2V 1C2, Waterloo, ON, Canada

    Vincent Nero

Authors
  1. Andrea J. Farwell
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  2. Susanne Vesely
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  3. Vincent Nero
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  4. Hilda Rodriguez
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  5. Saleh Shah
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  6. D. George Dixon
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  7. Bernard R. Glick
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Correspondence to Andrea J. Farwell.

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Farwell, A.J., Vesely, S., Nero, V. et al. The use of transgenic canola (Brassica napus) and plant growth-promoting bacteria to enhance plant biomass at a nickel-contaminated field site . Plant Soil 288, 309–318 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-006-9119-y

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