Taxonomic and functional responses of soil and root bacterial communities associated with poplar exposed to a contamination gradient of phenanthrene.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination of industrial wasteland soils affects microbial diversity, but little is known about the dose-response effects of such contaminants on taxonomic and functional diversities of rhizospheric and plant endophytic bacteria. This study focused on the response of soil and root bacterial communities associated to poplar grown in a contamination gradient of phenanthrene (PHE). It was hypothesized that the increase in contamination would modify gradually the bacterial diversity and functions.

Response of Poplar and Associated Fungal Endophytic Communities to a PAH Contamination Gradient.

Microbial populations associated to poplar are well described in non-contaminated and metal-contaminated environments but more poorly in the context of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination. This study aimed to understand how a gradient of phenanthrene (PHE) contamination affects poplar growth and the fungal microbiome in both soil and plant endosphere (roots, stems and leaves). Plant growth and fitness parameters indicated that the growth of was impaired when PHE concentration increased above 400 mg kg.