Discharge of nanoparticles
(NPs) into aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems
during manufacturing processes and from various commercial goods has
become a significant ecotoxicological concern. After reaching soil
systems, NPs cause deleterious effects on soil fertility, microbial
activity, and crop productivity. Taking into consideration the medicinal
importance of
Withania somnifera
(L.) (ashwagandha),
the present study assessed the potential hazards of silver nanoparticles
(Ag-NPs) and the toxicity amelioration by a metal-tolerant plant growth-promoting
rhizobacterium (PGPR).
Bacillus mojavensis
BZ-13
(NCBI accession number MZ950923) recovered from metal-polluted rhizosphere
soil, tolerated an exceptionally high level of Ag-NPs. The growth-regulating
substances synthesized by
B. mojavensis
were increased
with increasing concentrations (0–1000 μg mL
–1
) of Ag-NPs. Also, strain BZ-13 had the ability to form biofilm,
produce alginate and exopolysaccharides (EPSs), as well maintain swimming
and swarming motilities in the presence of Ag-NPs. Soil application
of varying concentrations of Ag-NPs resulted in a dose-related reduction
in growth and biochemical features of ashwagandha. In contrast, following
soil inoculation,
B. mojavensis
relieved the Ag-NPs-induced
phytotoxicity and improved plant productivity. Root, shoot length,
dry biomass, and leaf area increased by 13, 17, 37, 25%, respectively,
when
B. mojavensis
was applied with 25 mg/kg Ag-NPs
when compared to noninoculated controls. Furthermore, the soil plant
analysis development (SPAD) index, photosystem efficiency (Fv/Fm),
PS II quantum yield (FPS II), photochemical quenching (qP), non-photochemical
quenching (NpQ), and total chlorophyll and carotenoid content of BZ-13-inoculated
plants in the presence of 25 mg Ag-NPs/kg increased by 33, 29, 41,
47, 35, 26, and 25%, respectively, when compared to noninoculated
controls that were exposed to the same amounts of NPs. In addition,
a significant (
p
≤ 0.05) increase in 48, 18,
21, and 19% in withaferin-A (alkaloids), flavonoids, phenols, and
tannin content, respectively, was recorded when plants were detached
from bacterized and Ag-NP-treated plants. Leaf gas exchange parameters
were also modulated in the case of inoculated plants. Furthermore,
bacterial inoculation significantly decreased proline, lipid peroxidation,
antioxidant enzymes, and Ag-NP’s absorption and build-up in
phyto-organs. In conclusion, soil inoculation with
B. mojavensis
may possibly be used as an alternative to protect
W. somnifera
plants in soil contaminated with nanoparticles. Therefore, phytohormone
and other biomolecule-synthesizing and NP-tolerant PGPR strains like
B. mojavensis
might serve as an agronomically significant
and cost-effective remediation agent for augmenting the yield and
productivity of med...