Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus megaterium, and Pseudomonas putida in the Restoration of Technogenic Disturbed Lands of the Kuznetsk Basin, Russia

The Kuznetsk Basin (Kuzbass) is the largest region in Russia specializing in mining. Most mining operations here are performed by the open method, which is the safest and most effective, but it results in a significant amount of technologically disturbed land. Using microorganisms together with plants is rational to form a fertile soil layer and vegetation cover. Microorganisms intensify plant growth by improving their nutrition, synthesis of growth-stimulating substances, and protection from phytopathogens. The greatest growth-stimulating properties were noted for representative of the genera Pseudomonas and Bacillus. In turn, some plants, in particular, crested wheat grass (Agropyron cristatum L.), form a stable grass stand and support the formation of the surface soil layer (sod cover). This study aims to assess the prospects for the joint use of Pseudomonas fluorescens B-4252, Bacillus megaterium B-3778, Pseudomonas putida B-2950, and crested wheat grass to increase fertility and to form a stable vegetation cover in the technologically disturbed lands of the Kuznetsk Basin. The strains studied produce hydrocyanic acid and phytohormones, promoting phosphorus solubilization and nitrogen fixation. These strains and the consortium based thereon improve the growth of crested wheat grass under laboratory conditions. Seed treatment with the above microorganisms contributes to an increase in both seed germination and the growth rate of the crested wheat grass. Seed germination after processing by consortium no. 2 was 94%, which exceeded the control (no treatment) by 12%. Under the same treatment, the average sprout length was 56 mm, exceeding that for the control by 17 mm. Due to the parameters described, the consortium could become an effective agent to accelerate the restoration of the Kuzbass technosols.