Enhancing Vigna radiata Growth and Reducing Metal Toxicity with Pseudomonas spp. in Hydroponic Systems

Heavy metals in the environment originate from both natural sources and human activity, such as industrial waste and mining. Metals like cadmium, lead, and mercury accumulate in soil, water, and air, which can result in substantial threats to plants and ecosystems. Overexposure to heavy metals in plants leads to regeneration of reactive oxygen species (ROS), causing oxidative stress and disrupting many metabolic pathways, eventually impacting plant growth and productivity. Microbial bioremediation is an approach used to address this issue. This study investigates the effectiveness of the Pseudomonas family, specifically Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Pseudomonas fluorescens, in reducing heavy metal toxicity in non-circulating hydroponic systems. The objective is to observe the impact of zinc and cadmium stress on the growth of Vigna radiata (mung bean) seedlings. The results indicate that Pseudomonas aeruginosa promotes the development of seedlings up to a concentration of 1000 parts per million (ppm) of zinc, as well as cadmium. Pseudomonas fluorescens, on the other hand, supports plant growth under cadmium stress of up to 300 ppm and zinc stress of up to 1000 ppm. The results demonstrate the potential of the Pseudomonas family, which can serve as an effective method for reducing the presence of heavy metals in soil. Consequently, these bacteria could potentially serve as biofertilizers in heavy metal-contaminated regions, enhancing production while also mitigating the presence of heavy metals in the soil.