Autochthonous strains of Trichoderma isolated from tannery solid waste improve phytoextraction potential of heavy metals by sunflower.

This research work was aimed at isolating and demonstrating the significant potential of autochthonous fungi for phytoextraction of hazardous metals in metal polluted soil using . Four multi-metal resistant strains of were selected from a total of 21 strains isolated from tannery polluted soil and tannery solid waste. Autochthonous strains were used singly and in the form of consortium (TC). Sunflower was grown in pots for 90 days having eight different amendments of tannery polluted soil with and without inoculation. Growth and biochemical attributes of the plants were observed along with metal content extract by different plant parts. The results revealed that TC enhanced shoot length, shoot dry weight, and metal uptake as compared to single specie inoculation. Similarly, BCF (72.8-118.23%) and TF were significantly pronounced in shoots of grown with TC at 40% amended soil. The biochemical analysis of the plants showed that strains boosted the enzymatic (catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase) antioxidants in the plants. The use of indigenous fungi with metal accumulating plants like sunflower can help to alleviate metal contamination from industrial sites and can make the soil cultivable for energy crops.