Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria as an alternative to mineral fertilizers in assisted bioremediation - Sustainable land and waste management.

The challenge of environment management is a sustainable development of both environmental systems and the green economy. The main objective of this study was the optimization and testing of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria soil biopreparation and soil amendments as the alternative to or to help offset use of mineral soil fertilizers. A field study was conducted on a degraded area to improve plant biomass yield using inoculated bacteria. Moreover, organic additives (sewage sludge) and inorganic fertilizers were also used to compare their effectiveness. The conducted study investigated the combined effect of immobilized microbial consortium and soil substrates for plant growth (red fescue) on degraded areas and confirmed synergistic interactions between plants, microorganisms and soil substrates in the process of phytoremediation. The formulation consisted of immobilized bacterial consortia having mechanisms for the synthesis of compounds preferably affecting growth and development of (crop) plants. The conducted studies confirmed that the PGPR bacteria used in the experiment have the potential to promote plant growth, increase organic nitrogen the bioavailable P pool in soil. The results of the field study (synergy effect of alternative fertilization and bacteria) can be used to create effective methods in assisted soil bioremediation. This approach has a high social acceptance and reduces resource consumption of fertilizers having an impact on sustainable development. Implementing methods of supporting plant growth using microorganisms can undoubtedly contribute to the development of 'green' resource management. Published by Elsevier Ltd.