EFFECT OF GLYPHOSATE ON Cu(II) UPTAKE BY MEDICAGO SATIVA LAM. INOCULATED WITH ENTEROBACTER CLOACAE COMPLEX K7
We examined the uptake of Cu(II) and [Gl-Cu(II)] complexes by alfalfa. Another objective was to determine the protective effect of the plant-growth-promoting, Gl-degrading strain E.cloacae complex K7 on plants under phytotoxic conditions and the strains influence on the bioavailability of the contaminants. Gl significantly increased the Cu(II) concentration in uninoculated alfalfa (by 50%), as compared with the treatment with the non-chelated metal. Inoculation with strain K7 did not produce statistically significant change in the fresh weight of M. sativa, except in the treatment significant with the Gl-Cu complex. Compared with the uninoculated treatment, the fresh weight of the inoculated plants increased by 55% (p less 0.05). Inoculation did not produce statistically significant change in the dry weight of plants. However, bacterization influenced the degree of metal accumulation by plants. The amount of non-chelated Cu(II) in the inoculated plants was 1.3-fold greater with 0.5 mM Cu(II) and 2-fold greater with 1 mM Cu(II) than it was in the uninoculated plants. However, inoculation did not affect the degree of uptake of the chelated copper. Our data are important for the prediction of pollutant transport in agricultural crops.