Assisted Bioremediation by Bacillus sp.: Impact on the Growth of Vicia faba L. under Copper Contamination Conditions: RESEARCH PAPER

Abdelhakim Sellal; Rima Belattar; Amor Bencheikh; Mondher Fradjia; Nora Laouicha

doi:10.56093/aaz.v64i4.170134

Authors

Abdelhakim Sellal 1-Health and Environment Laboratory, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences and Earth and Universe Sciences, Mohamed El Bachir El Ibrahimi University, Bordj Bou Arreridj 34000, Algeria. 2-Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, Ferhat Abbas Setif1 University, Setif 19000; Algeria.
Rima Belattar 1-Health and Environment Laboratory, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences and Earth and Universe Sciences, Mohamed El Bachir El Ibrahimi University, Bordj Bou Arreridj 34000, Algeria. 2-Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, Ferhat Abbas Setif1 University, Setif 19000; Algeria.
Amor Bencheikh Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, Ferhat Abbas setif1 University, Setif, Algeria, 19000.
Mondher Fradjia Laboratory of Phytotherapy Applied to Chronic Diseases, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, University Ferhat Abbas Setif 1, 19000 Setif, Algeria
Nora Laouicha Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, Ferhat Abbas setif1 University, Setif, Algeria, 19000.

https://doi.org/10.56093/aaz.v64i4.170134

Keywords:

Pollution, heavy metals, copper, phytoremediation, bioremediation, Vicia faba L., Bacillus sp.

Abstract

Under greenhouse conditions stem length, branching, leaf area, and total chlorophyll content of Vicia faba plants grown in copper-contaminated soil were similarly improved by both EDTA (positive control) and Bacillus sp. treatments. Stem height at flowering and maturation stages was slightly higher in Bacillus sp.–treated plants (35.33 ± 1.52 cm and 46.33 ± 1.52 cm) than in EDTA-treated plants (34.33 ± 3.51 cm and 44.00 ± 5.56 cm), although the difference was not statistically significant. Branching and leaf area followed a comparable trend, with both treatments showing higher values than the negative control, but no significant differences between them. Total chlorophyll content was consistently higher in both treatments compared with copper-stressed plants, with minor fluctuations over time, indicating partial protection of the photosynthetic system. Overall, these results suggest that Bacillus sp. inoculation provides a bioremediation effect comparable to EDTA, promoting growth and mitigating copper toxicity through biologically mediated mechanisms.

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