Possible use of oil-degrading microorganisms for protection of plants growing under conditions of oil pollution

When entering soil, oil-degrading microorganisms come into contact with plants growing in polluted areas. We have studied the protective effect of oil-degrading microorganisms on plants growing under the conditions of model oil pollution. It has been shown that the treatment of the studied plants' seeds with a suspension of Rhodococcus at a concentration of 10⁷ CFU eliminates the negative effect of oil and restores germination and morphological parameters of their seedlings. The content of chlorophyll a and b as well as carotenoids increased in plants treated with a suspension of Rhodococcus cells. That indicates the ability of Rhodococcus strain obtained to synthesize substances similar to cytokinins. (paper)