Lowered Cd toxicity, uptake and expression of metal transporter genes in maize plant by ACC deaminase-producing bacteria Achromobacter sp.

In this study, an ACC deaminase-producing bacterial strain Achromobacter sp. A1 was isolated from maize rhizosphere soil, characterized and evaluated for the effects on cadmium (Cd) immobilization in solution/rhizosphere, physiological characteristics and the tissue Cd contents in maize and the molecular mechanisms involved by hydroponic and pot experiments. ACC deaminase activity of strain A1 was significantly enhanced by Cd addition and Cd concentration decreased (55.54–63.62%) in solution supplemented with various Cd concentrations. Strain A1 significantly increased the maize dry weights (30.77–105%) and chlorophyll content (7.46–14.46%), decreased MDA content (25.16–36.87%) and ethylene production (20.93–35.86%) in hydroponic experiment. Strain A1 significantly reduced the above-ground tissue Cd uptake by 12.64–33.68% and 42–48% in hydroponic and pot experiments, reduced the DTPA-extractable Cd content and elevated invertase, urease and catalase activity in rhizosphere soils. In addition, the expression levels of Cd transporter genes HMA3 and Nramp5 were significantly reduced in root and shoot after strain A1 inoculation. These results indicate that strain A1 has great potential for application as a novel and environmentally friendly inoculant to immobilize Cd and reduce maize Cd uptake in Cd-contaminated environments, and will improve the understanding of the relative molecular mechanisms underlying the response to strain A1 in maize plant. • ACC deaminase-producing bacterial strain Achromobacter sp. A1 have been isolated from maize rhizosphere soil. • ACC deaminase activity of strain A1 was significantly enhanced by Cd addition. • Strain A1 improved maize plant stress tolerance by modulating physiological characteristics. • Strain A1 reduced aboveground Cd uptake and root-aboveground transport by modulating genes HMA3 and Nramp5 expression. • Strain A1 colonized in rhizosphere soils, decreased the available Cd contents, and improved soil enzymes activity.