Effect of growing conditions on the physiological and biochemical status of remediating plants

Abstract

Abstract This study evaluated the effects of oil pollution, low humidity, and plant co-cultivation in kastanozem on Sorghum bicolor L. Moench and Medicago falcata L. Under the influence of oil pollution, the accumulation of sorghum biomass and the content of its photosynthetic pigments decreased. At the same time, an increase in the concentration of protein in the roots of this plant was not accompanied by an increase in the peroxidase activity. The reduced humidity did not have a negative impact on sorghum. The pollution also reduced the yellow medick biomass and the content of its photosynthetic pigments and proteins in leaves. At the same time, an increase in the protein content in the roots was accompanied by an increase in the peroxidase activity. The low humidity promoted an increase in the concentration of protein in the leaves and an increase in the peroxidase activity in the roots. The plant co-cultivation reflected positively on the sorghum state and negatively on the alfalfa state. The data obtained can be used by phytoremediation technology for kastanozem cleaning up from oil hydrocarbons and rehabilitation of soil biological activities in arid regions.