Efficient phytoremediation of organic contaminants in soils using plant–endophyte partnerships

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 583; pp. 352 - 368
• Main Authors: Feng, Nai-Xian, Yu, Jiao, Zhao, Hai-Ming, Cheng, Yu-Ting, Mo, Ce-Hui, Cai, Quan-Ying, Li, Yan-Wen, Li, Hui, Wong, Ming-Hung
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01-04-2017
• Subjects: Biodegradation, Environmental; Co-metabolism; Endophyte; Endophytes - metabolism; Omics; Organic contaminated soil; Phytoremediation; Plant Development; Plants - metabolism; Rhizosphere; Soil - chemistry; Soil Pollutants - analysis; Endophyte; Co-metabolism; Organic contaminated soil; Omics; Phytoremediation
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.01.075

Soil pollution with organic contaminants is one of the most intractable environmental problems today, posing serious threats to humans and the environment. Innovative strategies for remediating organic-contaminated soils are critically needed. Phytoremediation, based on the synergistic actions of plants and their associated microorganisms, has been recognized as a powerful in situ approach to soil remediation. Suitable combinations of plants and their associated endophytes can improve plant growth and enhance the biodegradation of organic contaminants in the rhizosphere and/or endosphere, dramatically expediting the removal of organic pollutants from soils. However, for phytoremediation to become a more widely accepted and predictable alternative, a thorough understanding of plant–endophyte interactions is needed. Many studies have recently been conducted on the mechanisms of endophyte-assisted phytoremediation of organic contaminants in soils. In this review, we highlight the superiority of organic pollutant-degrading endophytes for practical applications in phytoremediation, summarize alternative strategies for improving phytoremediation, discuss the fundamental mechanisms of endophyte-assisted phytoremediation, and present updated information regarding the advances, challenges, and new directions in the field of endophyte-assisted phytoremediation technology.
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•Endophytes are valuable bio-resources for enhancing phytoremediation efficiency.•The superiority of endophyte-assisted phytoremediation is assessed.•Mechanisms adopted by plant and endophyte for xenobiotic removal are summarized.•Cometabolism of plant and endophyte serves a main route for xenobiotic degradation.•“Omcs” techniques open up new perspectives for plant-endophyte interactions.