TY - DATA T1 - The Effect of Long-Term Cd and Ni Exposure on Seed Endophytes of Agrostis capillaris and Their Potential Application in Phytoremediation of Metal-Contaminated Soils PY - 2014/03/17 AU - S. Truyens AU - I. Jambon AU - S. Croes AU - J. Janssen AU - N. Weyens AU - M. Mench AU - R. Carleer AU - A. Cuypers AU - J. Vangronsveld UR - https://tandf.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/The_Effect_of_Long_Term_Cd_and_Ni_Exposure_on_Seed_Endophytes_of_i_Agrostis_capillaris_i_and_Their_Potential_Application_in_Phytoremediation_of_Metal_Contaminated_Soils/963062 DO - 10.6084/m9.figshare.963062.v1 L4 - https://ndownloader.figshare.com/files/1421492 KW - endophytes KW - phytoremediation KW - metal-contaminated KW - soils N2 - We examined whether long-term Cd exposure leads to beneficial changes in the cultivable endophytic bacteria present in the seeds of Agrostis capillaris. Therefore the cultivable seed endophytes of Agrostis capillaris growing on a long-term Cd/Ni-contaminated plot (Cd/Ni seeds) were compared with those originating from a non-contaminated plot (control seeds). We observed plant- and contaminant-dependent effects on the population composition between control and Cd/Ni seeds. Also differences in phenotypic characteristics were found: endophytes from Cd/Ni seeds exhibited more ACC deaminase activity and production of siderophores and IAA, while endophytes from control seeds, very surprisingly, showed more metal tolerance. Finally, the 3 most promising seed endophytes were selected based on their metal tolerance and plant growth promoting potential, and inoculated in Agrostis capillaris seedlings. In case of non-exposed plants, inoculation resulted in a significantly improved plant growth; after inoculation of Cd-exposed plants an increased Cd uptake was achieved without affecting plant growth. This indicates that inoculation of Agrostis with its seed endophytes might be beneficial for its establishment during phytoextraction and phytostabilisation of Cd-contaminated soils. ER -