Currently submitted to: JMIR Preprints
Date Submitted: Dec 19, 2024
Open Peer Review Period: Dec 19, 2024 - Dec 4, 2025
(currently open for review)
Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited. Preprints - unless they show as "accepted" - should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information.
Bioremediation Potential of Indigenous Bacteria in Pesticide-Contaminated Soils: A Sustainable Solution for Agriculture.
ABSTRACT
Pesticide contamination of agricultural soils poses significant environmental and public health challenges, necessitating eco-friendly soil restoration approaches. Indigenous soil bacteria offer a promising solution for detoxifying pesticide residues and enhancing soil health. This study aimed to: (1) identify bacterial strains in pesticide-contaminated soils with bioremediation potential, (2) evaluate the degradation efficiency of these strains, (3) analyze the influence of soil physicochemical properties on pesticide degradation, and (4) contribute empirical data for sustainable agricultural practices aligned with SDGs. Soil samples were collected from four pesticide-contaminated sites in Otuoke, Nigeria, and analyzed for microbial counts, pesticide residues, and physicochemical parameters. Bacterial isolates were identified using 16S rRNA sequencing, and biodegradation assays were monitored via optical density changes over seven days. Results showed a 60–80% reduction in pesticide residues, particularly when microbial consortia were applied. Actinomycetes exhibited the highest colony counts (9.20 × 10⁷ CFU/g), and Enterobacter hormaechei was notable for possessing the laccase functional gene linked to pesticide degradation. Soil analysis revealed significant disruptions in organic matter, pH, and nitrate levels due to pesticide contamination. These findings underscore the efficacy of microbial consortia in bioremediation and recommend field-scale applications to restore contaminated soils.
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