Phytomanagement of Zn- and Cd-Contaminated Soil: Helianthus annuus Biomass Production and Metal Remediation Abilities with Plant-Growth-Promoting Microbiota Assistance

Mining and industrial activity are contributing to the increase in heavy metal (HM) pollution soils. Phytoremediation coupled selected rhizosphere microbiota is an environmentally friendly technology designed promote HM bioremediation In this study, sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) was used together with Rhizophagus irregularis, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), Cupriavidus sp. strain 1C2, a plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), as phytoremediation strategy remove Zn Cd from soil (599 mg kg−1 1.2 kg−1). The work aimed understand if it possible gradually remediate tested while simultaneously obtaining significant yields of biomass further energetic values by comparison conventional agricultural (non-contaminated) soil. H. harvested contaminated 17% lower than that grown soil—corresponding 19, 620, 199 52 g m−2 roots, stems, flowers seeds. It ca. 0.04 0.91% soil, respectively, via accumulation on produced. survival applied indicated high root colonization rate AMF (about 50% more non-inoculated soil) identification 1C2 at end assay. encompassing application crop inoculated known beneficial real successfully tested, production potential for upstream valorisation purposes.