The Long-Term Effect of Petroleum-Derived Substances and Their Bioremediation on the Host Plant (Vicia faba L.) and a Herbivore (Sitona spp.)

Abstract

The present study assessed distant-in-time effects of soil contamination with petroleum-derived substances (PDSs) (petrol, diesel fuel and used engine oil) and their bioremediation using ZB-01 biopreparation on the growth of broad bean, content of nutrients and heavy metals in plants, and feeding by imagines and larvae of Sitona spp. The results showed that even after 5 years from the moment of soil contamination by engine oil and diesel fuel, they negatively impacted the growth of broad bean plants. PDSs significantly modified the content of nutrients and generally increased the content of heavy metals in plant organs. These substances also negatively affected the feeding of adult Sitona spp., causing a reduction in the percentage of plants damaged by beetles, and a decrease in the surface of consumed areas on leaves. The ZB-01 biopreparation had a generally positive effect on the morphological features of plants, and its effect on the content of nutrients and heavy metals was variable, depending on the type of contaminant, the analyzed metals or nutrients, and the involved part of the plant. The biopreparation also inhibited the adverse effect of PDSs on the feeding by imago of Sitona spp.