Lead (Pb)-resistant bacteria inhibit Pb accumulation in dill (Anethum graveolens L.) by improving biochemical, physiological, and antioxidant enzyme response of plants.

The accumulation of heavy metal in the soil is a serious concern for sustainable food production due to their toxic effects on plants and other living things. The strategies are required on urgent bases for the management of metal-contaminated soils. Thus, the microbes from the genus Pseudomonas were characterized for different traits and lead (Pb)-resistant ability and their effects were assessed on growth, photosynthesis, antioxidant capacity, and Pb uptake by dill (Anethum graveolens L.). Furthermore, soil basal respiration and induced respiration in soil were also assessed under microbes and Pb stress. Among the tested three strains, Pseudomonas P159 and P150 were more tolerant to Pb stress than Pseudomonas P10, whereas P159 showed the highest values for phosphorus (P), siderophore, auxin, and hydrogen cyanide production. The bacterial inoculation increased the plant shoot dry weights, carbohydrates, proline, and chlorophyll contents under Pb stress. The catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) activities of the plants were higher in bacterial-treated plants than control. The bacterial inoculation decreased Pb concentration in plants, and the response varied with the type of microbes. The bacterial strains enhanced the soil basal and induced respiration than respective Pb treatments alone. Overall, Pseudomonas P159 is potentially suitable for the remediation of Pb-contaminated soils. Graphical abstract.