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These results suggest that application of biochar with PGPR and/or compost could be an effective strategy for enhancing plant growth under stress. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

The objective of the study was to evaluate role of zeolite and Enterobacter sp. MN17 on Cd uptake, growth, physiological and biochemical responses of Brassica napus on Cd-contaminated soil. A sandy clay loam soil in plastic pots was spiked with Cd (0 and 80 mg kg-1) and amended with zeolite (0 and 10 g kg-1). Seeds of B. napus were inoculated with Enterobacter sp. MN17. Both inoculated and non-inoculated seeds of B. napus were sown and plants were harvested after 60 days of growth and data were collected. Although sole application of zeolite and seed inoculation reverted adverse effects of Cd in B. napus plants, the combined use resulted in even higher growth and physiological responses compared to control plants. The combined use under Cd stress increased plant height, root length, dry biomass of shoot and root up to 32%, 57%, 42% and 64%, respectively compared to control. The different physiological attributes (photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll content, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance) of B. napus were improved from 6% to 137%. Moreover, combined use of zeolite and seed inoculation on Cd-contaminated soil reduced the stress to plants as antioxidant activities decreased up to 25–64%, however enzyme activities were still higher than plants grown on normal soil. Root and shoot analysis of B. napus for Cd content depicted that zeolite and bacterium decreased Cd uptake from soil. It is concluded that combined use of zeolite and strain MN17 reduces Cd uptake from soil and improves physiological and biochemical responses of B. napus which is helpful to alleviate Cd toxicity to plants.