Toxicity of Heavy Metals to Legumes and Bioremediation

This title discusses various effects of heavy metal exposure to legumes as well as the bioremediation potential of rhizosphere microbes. Availability of heavy metals, their uptake and the effects of metals on various signaling pathways within legumes are presented. Furthermore, the effects of heavy metals to nitrogen fixing microorganisms and how microsymbionts can overcome metal stress is presented in detail. The role of nitrogen fixers in decontamination of heavy metal toxicity, mycoremediation of metal contaminated soils, microbially mediated transformation of heavy metals and action of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria and nitrogen fixers together in detoxifying heavy metals are broadly explained. This volume is a useful tool for scientists, policy makers and progressive legume growers intending to develop safe and healthy legumes for future generations. Front Matter....Pages i-xii Soil Contamination, Nutritive Value, and Human Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals: An Overview....Pages 1-27 Heavy Metal Toxicity to Symbiotic Nitrogen-Fixing Microorganism and Host Legumes....Pages 29-44 Toxic Effects of Heavy Metals on Germination and Physiological Processes of Plants....Pages 45-66 Chromium–Plant-Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria Interactions: Toxicity and Management....Pages 67-88 The Influence of Glutathione on the Tolerance of Rhizobium leguminosarum to Cadmium....Pages 89-100 Bioremediation: A Natural Method for the Management of Polluted Environment....Pages 101-114 Rhizobium –Legume Symbiosis: A Model System for the Recovery of Metal-Contaminated Agricultural Land....Pages 115-127 Microbially Mediated Transformations of Heavy Metals in Rhizosphere....Pages 129-146 Rhizoremediation: A Pragmatic Approach for Remediation of Heavy Metal-Contaminated Soil....Pages 147-161 Role of Plant-Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria in the Management of Cadmium-Contaminated Soil....Pages 163-178 Site-Specific Optimization of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Mediated Phytoremediation....Pages 179-202 Heavy Metal Resistance in Plants: A Putative Role of Endophytic Bacteria....Pages 203-217 Importance of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Legume Production Under Heavy Metal-Contaminated Soils....Pages 219-241 Back Matter....Pages 243-248 This title discusses various effects of heavy metal exposure to legumes as well as the bioremediation potential of rhizosphere microbes. Availability of heavy metals, their uptake and the effects of metals on germination and various physiological functions of plants including legumes are presented. Furthermore, the effects of heavy metals to nitrogen fixing microorganisms and how microsymbionts can overcome metal stress is presented in detail. The influence of glutathione on the tolerance of Rhizobium leguminosarum to cadmium is discussed. The role of nitrogen fixers in decontamination of heavy metal toxicity, mycoremediation of metal contaminated soils, microbially mediated transformation of heavy metals and action of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria and nitrogen fixers together in detoxifying heavy metals are broadly explained. This volume is a useful tool for scientists, policy makers and progressive legume growers intending to develop safe and healthy legumes for future generations