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Uncovering the mechanisms of how corn steep liquor and microbial communities minimize cadmium translocation in Chinese cabbage

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Abstract

Corn steep liquor-assisted microbial remediation has been proposed as a promising strategy to remediate cadmium (Cd)-contaminated soil. In this study, we determined Bacillus subtilis (K2) with a high cadmium (Cd) accumulation ability and Cd resistance. However, studies on this strategy used in the Cd uptake of Chinese cabbage are lacking, and the effect of the combined incorporation of corn steep liquor and K2 on the functions and microbial interactions of soil microbiomes is unclear. Here, we study the Cd uptake and transportation in Chinese cabbage by the combination of K2 and corn steep liquor (K2 + C7) in a Cd-contaminated soil and corresponding microbial regulation mechanisms. Results showed that compared to inoculant K2 treatment alone, a reduction of Cd concentration in the shoots by 14.4% and the dry weight biomass of the shoots and the roots in Chinese cabbage increased by 21.6% and 30.8%, respectively, under K2 + C7 treatment. Meanwhile, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were decreased by enhancing POD and SOD activity, thereby reversing Cd-induced oxidative damage. Importantly, inoculation of K2 would decrease the diversity of the microbial community while enhancing the abundance of dominant species. These findings provide a promising strategy for reducing the Cd accumulation in Chinese cabbage and recovering soil ecological functions.

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All data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article and its Supplementary Information files, or available from the corresponding author upon request.

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Acknowledgements

We appreciate the support provided by ShiFang Anda Chemicals CO., LTD.

Funding

Author Qing Chen has received research support from the China Agriculture Research System of Ministry of Finance (MOF) and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) (CARS-23-B15) and the Chinese Universities Scientific Fund (Grant No. 2021TC117).

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Author notes

  1. Longcheng Li and Chensi Wang contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Beijing Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Organic Farming, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China

    Longcheng Li

  2. Beijing Key Laboratory of Farmland Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China

    Longcheng Li, Chensi Wang, Wenhao Wang, Lin Zhou, Donghan Zhang, Hongjie Liao, Zihao Wang & Qing Chen

  3. National Sugar Crop Improvement Centre, College of Advanced Agriculture and Ecological Environment, Heilongjiang University, 74 Xuefu Road, Harbin, 150080, China

    Bingchen Li

  4. School of Agriculture, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 523758, Guangdong, China

    Yutao Peng

  5. ShiFang Anda Chemicals CO., LTD., Deyang, China

    Yangping Xu

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  1. Longcheng Li
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Contributions

Conceptualization: Qing Chen, Yutao Peng, Longcheng Li, and Chensi Wang. Data curation: Longcheng Li, Chensi Wang, and Wenhao Wang. Formal analysis: Longcheng Li, Chensi Wang, Wenhao Wang, Lin Zhou, and Donghan Zhang. Funding acquisition: Qing Chen. Investigation: Hongjie Liao, Zihao Wang, and Bingcheng Li. Supervision: Qing Chen and Yangping Xu. Writing including review and editing: Longcheng Li and Chensi Wang. Writing of the original draft: Longcheng Li, Chensi Wang, and Yutao Peng.

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Correspondence to Qing Chen.

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Responsible Editor: Gangrong Shi

Highlights

Inoculant K2 B. subtilis increased the abundance of dominant microbial communities.

Reduced the Cd accumulation in the edible parts of cabbage.

Corn steep liquor-based K2 B. subtilis inhibited Cd translocation.

K2 B. subtilis reversed Cd peroxidation damage by triggering antioxidant defense.

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Li, L., Wang, C., Wang, W. et al. Uncovering the mechanisms of how corn steep liquor and microbial communities minimize cadmium translocation in Chinese cabbage. Environ Sci Pollut Res 31, 22576–22587 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-32579-5

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