Plant growth-promoting microorganisms in metal-contaminated soil

Heavy metals are a natural component of the environment. They have occurred in the Earth's crust since the Earth's formation. However, due to human activity, heavy metals have increased from their natural level of occurrence and have significantly endangered sensitive habitats. Pollution of the soil environment with heavy metals (e.g. cadmium, lead, zinc, copper, nickel) occurs most often in areas adjacent to industrial plants, coal power plants, steelworks and along communication routes. The irrational use of mineral fertilizers and chemical plant protection products has also been an important factor in heavy metal pollution. Plants growing in areas with a high content of metals in the substrate but also growing in polluted air have developed several adaptations to the environment in which they live. However, after exceeding a certain threshold of pollution, natural mechanisms become insufficient. This leads to disturbances in plant growth and reduces the yield and quality of crops. In addition, metals taken up in excess by crops pose a risk of food contamination, which negatively impacts animal and human health.

Toxic elements can get into our bodies via various routes, but above all, the primary way of metal intake by humans is the consumption of vegetables containing often large quantities of toxic metals absorbed from the soil. Studies show that vegetables such as, e.g. lettuce, cabbage or spinach have the highest capacity for accumulating heavy metals. Cereal grains, and therefore, flour and cereal products, may also be highly contaminated.

The heavy metals in the human body cause changes in protein synthesis and disturbances in energy production (ATP production), which can entail serious diseases. Significant relationships between environmental concentrations of heavy metals and cancer mortality rates were also discovered.

The subject of the offer is a biopreparation that supports the cultivation of plants from the Brassica family and cereal crops on soils containing heavy metals. The use of a preparation containing microorganisms increases the growth of crops. It inhibits the accumulation of heavy metals by them, which is particularly important in cultivating plants intended for consumption.

The developed solution is in line with the current assumptions of the agricultural development strategy in Poland and throughout Europe, which emphasize eco-friendly solutions that positively impact the climate and the environment.

The effects of using technology:

- supports the growth of crops on soils contaminated with heavy metals

- reduces the level of heavy metal uptake by plants

The technology is the subject of the patent application. Technology Transfer Center CITTRU UJ is looking for entities interested in cooperation in further developing and commercializing the invention.

Current development status

Laboratory prototypes

Applications

Agriculture

Desired business relationship

Technology selling

Patent licensing

Technology development