Rhizoremediation of Hexachlorocyclohexane Through Pesticide Contaminated Soil by Solanum nigrum

Quality and magnitude of World's food have been improved using pesticides. However, these pesticides, such asHexachlorocyclohexane, have unfavorably affected the quality of environment and health of human beings. Thesenot only used in Agriculture but in public health activities. Their use has been banned in developed countries, butthese are still being used in some developing countries including Pakistan. Present study was aimed at sssessment,of HCHs concentration to be removed by rhizoremediation with Solanum nigrum; Solanum nigrum growthperformance and identification of inoculate to be best for rhizo-microbial remediation. Pot experiments at 0, 5 and 10mg/kg HCHs spiked soil were conducted for 90 days. Soil physicochemical properties (pH, TOC, OM, EC, MBC)were measured. Residual HCHs concentration in spiked soil was 1.73, 2.33, 3.9 and 6.1 mg/kg for 5% HCHs+Solanum nigrum+Inoculate; 5% HCHs+Inoculate; 10% HCHs Solanum nigrum+Inoculate; 10%HCHs+Inoculaterespectively. While HCHs accumulation in Solanum nigrum in different treatments was 1.233, 2.133, 2.6667 mg/kgfor 5% HCHs+Solanum nigrum+Inoculate; 10% HCHs+Solanum nigrum; 10% HCHs+Solanum nigrum+inoculaterespectively. Strain which effectively improved the plant root and biomass was ST47 which improved root lengthalmost 6.9 cm. Results elucidated the use of Solanum nigrum along with ST47 strain as the effective and promisingremediation technique for HCHs degradation.