The Influence of Mono-Rhamnolipid Produced by Pseudomonas Guguanensis on Seed Germination and Growth in the Presence of Crude Oil

With growing environmental concern, interest in the research and development of environmentally friendly substances has only increased. Microbial surfactants are nontoxic and biodegradable bioproducts that provide sustainable solutions in agricultural applications due to their many benefits over synthetic counterparts. Their utilization necessitates substantial research into their impact on plant development. The present study aimed to assess the effect of mono-rhamnolipid produced by Pseudomonas guguanensis strain Iraqi ZG. K. M on seed germination of red cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under in-vitro conditions, and then evaluate its effect on seed germination and growth of both plant species in the presence of a lethal concentration (3%) of crude oil. Different concentrations of mono-rhamnolipid ranging from 0.25 to 1.00 g/l were evaluated, with distilled water acting as a control. The study found that applying 0.25 g/l of mono-rhamnolipid to seeds before germination could significantly stimulate, accelerate, and improve their germination and growth, with similar effects when in the presence of 3% crude oil. Thus, this biological molecule demonstrated a promising result in bioremediating crude oil, thereby promoting seed germination and plant growth.