The combined effect of Diversispora versiformis and sodium bentonite contributes on the colonization of Phragmites in cadmium-contaminated soil.

To promote the colonization of Phragmites in Cd polluted, nutrient deprived and structural damaged soil, the combined remediation using chemical and microbial modifiers were carried out in potting experiments. The co-application of Diversispora versiformis and sodium bentonite significantly improved the soil structure and phosphorus utilization of the plant, while decreasing the content of cadmium bound by diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid by 77.72%. As a result, the Phragmites height, tillers, and photosynthetic capacity were increased by 71.60%, 38.37%, and 17.54%, respectively. Further analysis suggested the co-application increased the abundance of phosphorus-releasing microbial communities like Pseudomonas sp. and Gemmatimonadetes. Results of rhizosphere metabolites also proved that the signal molecule of lysophosphatidylcholine regulated the phosphorus fixation and utilization by the plant. This work finds composite modifiers are effective in the colonization of Phragmites in Cd contaminated soil by decreasing the bioavailable Cd, increasing the abundance of functional microbial communities and regulating the phosphorus fixation. [Display omitted] • Mycorrhizal fungi and bentonite promoted Phragmites colonization in polluted soil. • Bentonite modified the morphological distribution of soil Cd. • Mycorrhizal fungi immobilized Cd by secreting glomalin-related soil protein. • Molecule metabolism indicated the improvement of phosphate fixation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]