Lead (Pb) contamination in rhizosphere soil inhibits seed germination and impairs ATP generation, causes lipid peroxidation, damages DNA molecules, and increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, leading to decreased chlorophyll synthesis and plant growth. Using PGPR in combination with organic amendments has emerged as an eco-friendly and sustainable biological approach to reducing heavy metal toxicity in vegetables. In view, lead-tolerant Bacillus sp. strain N18 was evaluated along with compost to ameliorate lead toxicity in tomatoes under lead-contaminated soil conditions. The test soil was spiked with different concentrations of Pb (0, 400 and 600 mg kg- 1) and placed for 72 h for equilibrium before filling the plastic jars. Five 20-day-old tomato plants were transplanted in each jar and harvested after 40 days of transplantation. Results showed that plant height and root length were significantly improved by 11 and 49% over the control, while SPAD value was enhanced by 31% due to the combined use of Bacillus sp. strain N18 and compost under 600 mg kg- 1 of lead. The lead in root and shoot decreased by 6 and 13% compared with the un-inoculated control under 600 mg kg- 1 of Pb. The combination of Bacillus sp. strain N18 and compost also improved the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems by decreasing the proline contents, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, peroxidase (POD) activity, catalase (CAT) activity and peroxidase (POX) activity. It is concluded that the combined use of lead-tolerant Bacillus sp. strain N18 and compost effectively ameliorated the lead toxicity in tomatoes grown under Pb-contaminated soil conditions. The integrated use of Bacillus sp. N18 and compost showed the potential for improving tomato growth and physiology under Pb-contaminated soils and decreasing the Pd uptake in tomato plants by stabilizing it in the root zone. This approach can be explored as a good strategy for growing vegetables, especially tomatoes, in Pb-contaminated peri-urban areas.

来源平台：WASTE AND BIOMASS VALORIZATION