Interaction plantes - bactéries sur des substrats contaminés en cuivre; cas de l’arc cuprifère du Katanga

Alfred Cubaka Kabagale, Natalie Leys

    Research output

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    Abstract

    This thesis describes a study on the interaction between plants and bacteria on a copper polluted substrate was carried out. This study included 2 parts: 1) a 'in vitro' laboratory study on the capacities of model bacterium C. metallidurans CH34 to interact with model plant Nicotiana plumbaginifolia (part of the Solanaceae family), and 2) a 'in situ' field-based study aiming to look at the interactions between natural cuprophytic plants and in metal-resistant bacteria in the metal rich mining areas of Katanga, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The capacity of soil bacterium C. metallidurans CH34 to colonise the plant Nicotiana plumbaginifolia was demonstrated, and it was even shown to have plant growth promoting properties in some culture conditions. Furthermore, new metal resistant plant-associated bacteria originating from Katanga soil and plants were characterised and described. The molecular biology and ecology of plant-bacteria interactions and of metal resistance mechanisms described in this work may pave the way for new applications in bioremediation (phytostabilization/phytoextraction of toxic metals).
    Original languageEnglish
    Awarding Institution
    • VUB - Vrije Universiteit Brussel
    • UNILU - University of Lubumbashi
    Supervisors/Advisors
    • Verbruggen, Nathalie, Supervisor, External person
    • Lumbu Simbi, Jean-Baptiste, Supervisor, External person
    • Mergeay, Max, Supervisor
    Place of PublicationBrussels, Belgium
    Publisher
    StatePublished - 26 Aug 2010

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