Degradation of 2,4-D by plant growth-promoting <i>Cupriavidus</i> sp. DSPFs: role in mitigating herbicide toxicity in soil and enhancing crop production

An agricultural soil isolate, <i>Cupriavidus</i> sp. strain DSPFs, is capable of degrading 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), a widely used herbicide having deleterious effects on non-target crop plants and other biota. Strain DSPFs efficiently degrade relatively high concentrations of 2,4-D in minimal growth medium as well as in contaminated soil. This efficient degradation by strain can be attributed to the enhanced catalytic efficiency (low <i>K</i>_m and high <i>V</i>_max) of key enzyme 2,4-dichlorophenol-6-monooxygenase (2,4-DCPM). Strain DSPFs mitigate the toxicity caused by 2,4-D to crops and also promote plant growth. This tri-functional (bioremediator-phytoprotecting-plant growth promoting) bacterium has significant potential in the eco-friendly remediation of 2,4-D in agricultural fields to prevent groundwater contamination, reduce phytotoxicity of herbicides, and enhance crop productivity.