Effect of organic soil amendments on the incidence of stalk rot of maize

Five organic materials, Calopogonium sp. leaves, rice straw, mixed wood saw dust of Terminalia sp. Triplochyton sp. and Kaya sp., fresh guinea grass and poultry manure were added to soil with a recent history of high stalk rot of maize caused by Macrophomina phaseolina and Fusarium moniliforme. The two stalk rot organisms reacted differently to the organic amendments. All the amendments produced significantly less Fusarium stalk rot disease than the unamended control. Amendment of soil with fresh Calopogonium leaves was almost ineffective in controlling the incidence of Macrophomina phaseolina. Organic amendment with poultry manure increased the disease casued by M. phaseolina. The other amendments appeared to be equally effective in checking the disease. Increased microbial population due to amendment may play some role in disease suppression.     

Bioremediation of Soil Artificially Contaminated with Petroleum Hydrocarbon Oil Mixtures: Evaluation of the Use of Animal Manure and Chemical Fertilizer

The search for cheaper and environmentally friendly options of enhancing petroleum hydrocarbon degradation has continued to elicit research interest. One of such options is the use of animal manure as biostimulating agents. A combination of treatments consisting of the application of poultry manure, piggery manure, goat manure, and chemical fertilizer was evaluated in situ during a period of 4 weeks of remediation. Each treatment contained petroleum hydrocarbon mixture (kerosene, diesel oil, and gasoline mixtures) (10% w/w) in soil as a sole source of carbon and energy. After 4 weeks of remediation, the results showed that poultry manure, piggery manure, goat manure, and NPK (nitrogen, phosphorous, and potash [potassium]) fertilizer exhibited 73%, 63%, 50%, and 39% total petroleum hydrocarbon degradation, respectively. Thus, all the biostimulating treatment strategies showed the ability to enhance petroleum hydrocarbon microbial degradation. However, poultry manure, piggery manure, and goat manure treatments showed greater petroleum hydrocarbon reductions than NPK fertilizer treatment. A first-order kinetic equation was fitted to the biodegradation data and the specific degradation rate constant (k) values obtained showed that the order of effectiveness of these biostimulating strategies in the cleanup of soil contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbon mixtures (mixture of kerosene, diesel oil, and gasoline) is NPK fertilizer < goat manure < piggery manure < poultry manure. Therefore, this present work has indicated that the application of poultry manure, piggery manure, goat manure, and chemical fertilizer could enhance petroleum hydrocarbon degradation with poultry manure, showing a greater effectiveness and thus could be one of the severally sought environmentally friendly ways of remediating natural ecosystem contaminated with crude oil.     

有机物料还田对双季稻田土壤有机碳及其活性组分的影响

有机物料还田是提升农田土壤有机碳、培肥土壤的重要措施。为探讨不同有机物料的还田效果,采用室外培养方法,研究了在等碳输入条件下,施用水稻秸秆、紫云英、生物有机肥、猪粪和水稻秸秆生物炭对洞庭湖双季稻区潮土有机碳和活性有机碳组分含量的影响。结果表明: 经过180 d的培养试验,与不施用有机物料相比,施用有机物料提高了土壤活性有机碳含量。生物有机肥、猪粪和水稻秸秆生物炭处理分别使土壤有机碳含量显著提升了26.1%、9.7%和30.7%,水稻秸秆和紫云英对土壤有机碳含量的提升效应在试验期间并不显著。水稻秸秆和紫云英还田更有利于土壤可溶性有机碳和微生物生物量碳的积累,猪粪更有利于土壤可溶性有机碳的积累,生物有机肥更有利于土壤微生物生物量碳和易氧化有机碳的积累,水稻秸秆生物炭则更有利于土壤微生物生物量碳和轻组有机碳的积累。与水稻秸秆还田相比,紫云英、生物有机肥、猪粪和水稻秸秆生物炭还田使土壤碳库管理指数分别提高了31.8%、111.6%、62.2%和50.7%。从土壤固碳和土壤碳库管理指数来看,生物有机肥、猪粪和水稻秸秆生物炭的还田效果优于水稻秸秆和紫云英还田。     

Enhancing Degradation of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons and Uptake of Heavy Metals in a Wetland Microcosm Planted with Phragmites Communis by Humic Acids Addition

The effects of humic acid (HA) on heavy-metal uptake by plants and degradation of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) in a wetland microcosm planted with Phragmites communis were evaluated by comparing waterlogged soils and water-drained upland soils. Experiments were conducted on soils artificially contaminated with heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Cd, Ni) and diesel fuel. HA showed a positive influence on biomass increase for all conditions, but more for belowground than aboveground biomass, and lower in contaminated than uncontaminated soil. The bioavailability and leachability factor (BLF) for all heavy metals except Ni increased with HA addition in both the control and the P. communis planted microcosms, suggesting that more heavy metals could be potentially phytoavailable for plant uptake. Microbial activities were not affected by both heavy metals and TPH contamination, and HA effects on stimulating microbial activities were much greater in the contaminated soil than under uncontaminated conditions. HA addition enhanced the degradation of TPH and n-alkane in waterlogged conditions. The results show that HA can increase the remedial performance in P. communis dominated wetlands simultaneously contaminated with heavy metals and petroleum hydrocarbons and thus prevent contamination of groundwater or other adjacent ecosystems.     

Using Maize (Zea mays L.) and Sewage Sludge to Remediate a Petroleum-Contaminated Calcareous Soil

Phyto-stimulation, the use of plants to stimulate activity of microorganisms in a root zone, has been proposed as an approach to promote the degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons and thus the remediation of petroleum-polluted soils. In this study, we investigated the potential use of sewage sludge to enhance phyto-stimulating effects of maize (Zea mays L.) on the elimination of an aged petroleum contamination in a calcareous soil. In a pot experiment, maize was grown on the experimental soil for two months at three levels of sewage sludge application (0, 20, and 50 g dry matter of sludge per kg soil). The amendments increased root and shoot growth of the experimental plants approximately by a factor of two at the lower sludge treatment level and by a factor of five at the higher sludge treatment level. In a separate incubation experiment, sludge application also led to an immediate stimulation of soil respiration, which then further increased over time. The initial stimulation was three times larger at the higher than at the lower treatment level, but the rate of subsequent increase was similar in both treatments. The two sludge treatments also accelerated TPH elimination in the contaminated soil, and again the effect was approximately three times stronger at the higher than at the lower treatment level. The sludge effect on TPH elimination was much stronger than the effect of the plants. More than half of the initial contamination was reduced in combined treatment with maize and sludge application at the highest rate. The results show that sewage sludge can substantially enhance the remediation of petroleum-contaminated soil, especially when applied in conjunction with a suitable plant such as maize.     

Effects of community-accessible biochar and compost on diesel-contaminated soil

Petroleum pollution is a global problem that requires effective and accessible remediation strategies that takes ecosystem functioning into serious consideration. Bioremediation can be an effective tool to address the challenge. In this study, we used a mesocosm experiment to evaluate the effects of locally sourced and community produced biochar and compost amendments on diesel-contaminated soil. At the end of the 90-day experiment, we quantified the effects of the amendments on total petroleum hydrocarbons (C9-C40) (TPH) and soil pH, organic matter, aggregate stability, soil respiration, extractable phosphorus, extractable potassium, and micronutrients (Mg, Fe, Mn, and Zn). We observed significantly higher TPH degradation in compost-amended soils than in controls and soils amended with biochar. We propose that the addition of compost improved TPH biodegradation by augmenting soil nutrient content and microbial activity. Our results suggest that community-accessible compost can improve TPH biodegradation, and that implementation is possible at the community level.     

Manure Application and Cannabis Cultivation Influence on Speciation of Lead and Cadmium by Selective Sequential Extraction

The contamination of agricultural soils by heavy metals is a worldwide problem. Degradation of organic matter (OM) from organic amendments used in the remediation of metal-contaminated soils leads to changes in soil chemical properties shortly after their addition, which may affect the soil metal distribution. The effects of four differing organic amendments on chemical forms of Pb and Cd in a contaminated soil were investigated in a pot experiment of control unamended soil and soils amended with dry cow and poultry manures (20 g CM or PM kg^?1 soil), and cow and poultry manure extracts (2 g CME or PME kg^?1 soil) cultured with cannabis sativa. After eight weeks, a sequential extraction scheme was used to fractionate soil Pb and Cd into soluble-exchangeable (Sol-Exch), organic matter associated (AOM), and carbonates associated (ACar) forms. The addition of animal manures and their extracts increased the DTPA-extractable Pb and Cd in soil significantly. Soil Pb and Cd in Sol-Exch fraction were increased by manure applications. Both Pb and Cd in AOM fraction were increased by application of manures and their extracts. This increase was more obvious for Pb in application of cow and poultry manure extracts. The ACar chemical forms of Pb and Cd were also increased by application of manures and their extracts. The increases of Pb and Cd in Acar fraction was noticeable in soils treated with cow manure. Soil cultivation with cannabis sativa increased available, Sol-Exch, and AOM chemical forms of Pb in soil significantly compared to control soil. However, soil Pb and Cd in ACar fraction were decreased significantly by cannabis cultivation. The effect of cannabis cultivation on all of the Cd chemical forms (except on Sol-Exch) was similar to the results of Pb chemical forms. Plant cultivation had no significant effect on Cd in Sol-Exch chemical form.     

生物质炭配施有机物料对贫瘠红壤酶活性和微生物碳源代谢功能的影响

为进一步促进红壤固碳培肥,于2017和2018年通过田间试验研究了两种有机物料(玉米秸秆和羊粪)单施以及与生物质炭配施对贫瘠红壤养分含量、碳转化相关酶活性和微生物底物利用速率的影响。试验设置6个处理,即不施有机物料(对照)、玉米秸秆、羊粪、单施生物质炭、玉米秸秆与生物质炭配施、羊粪与生物质炭配施。结果表明:与对照相比,有机物料施用显著增加了土壤pH值、有机碳、全氮、有效磷和速效钾含量;与单施秸秆和羊粪相比,生物质炭与秸秆或羊粪配施显著增加了土壤有机碳、速效钾和碱解氮含量,但两者无交互效应。与对照相比,有机物料施用显著提高了β-葡萄糖苷酶(BG)、纤维二糖水解酶(CB)、β-木聚糖苷酶(XYL)和过氧化物酶(PERO)活性;与单施秸秆相比,生物质炭与秸秆配施处理酚氧化酶、过氧化物酶活性分别显著降低了28.6%、22.2%;与单施羊粪相比,生物质炭与羊粪配施处理α-葡萄糖苷酶(AG)、BG、XYL和PERO活性分别显著降低了46.1%、50.9%、41.6%和31.3%。与对照相比,有机物料施用显著提高了土壤基础呼吸和微生物对碳水化合物的利用速率,而生物质炭配施处理对碳水化合物、羧酸类底物的利用速率存在显著抑制作用。微生物碳源利用速率与BG和PERO活性呈显著正相关。因此,有机物料与生物质炭配施更有利于提高土壤养分含量,降低有机碳分解酶和微生物碳源代谢活性,从而促进红壤固碳培肥,有利于贫瘠红壤的地力提升。     

Bioremediation of Oil-contaminated Soil Using Chicken Manure

In less developed countries, the prevalence of soil contaminated with used lubricating oil is high and the situation worsens with the economic advancement. The contamination has been shown to adversely affect the environment and human health. To mitigate, bioremediation could be adopted to tackle the problem of hydrocarbon-contaminated soil. Thus, this experimental research carried out the bioremediation using chicken manure in soils contaminated with 5%, 10% and 20% w/w used lubricating oil for a 42-day composting period. To compare, this research also experimented with the 5%, 10% and 20% oil-contaminated soils untreated with chicken manure. The results showed that the highest total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) reduction efficiency of >60% was achieved in the 5% oil-contaminated compost remediated with chicken manure. The highest biodegradation rate of lubricating oil of 0.023–0.0025 day^?1 as measured by the first-order kinetics could also be achieved under the 5% oil contamination condition with the application of chicken manure. The findings highlight the prospect of chicken manure as a proper nutrient for enhanced remediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated soils, particularly of low contamination concentrations.     

Phytoremediation of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons From Highly Saline and Clay Soil Using Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. and Aeluropus littoralis (Guna) Parl

This study evaluated the effects of native plants (Sorghum halepense and Aeluropus littoralis), total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) concentrations, and nutrients on the removal of TPHs from a highly saline clay soil. For a period of 180 days, rhizosphere microbial number, plant biomass, and residual TPHs were determined monthly. Results showed that TPH removal from soil in the rhizosphere was 13% higher than that in the control (unplanted soil). In addition, the number of heterotrophic bacteria in the rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil was 7.407 and 6.629 log₁₀CFU/g, respectively. The maximum TPH removal, microbial numbers, and plant biomass were measured in the treated soil, polluted with 0.86% (w/w) of TPH. The high clay and salinity of the experimental soil had a negative effect on the phytoremediation efficiency. Hence, it was necessary to improve the physicochemical properties of the soil to provide a good condition for plants and microbes, thereby increasing the phytoremediation efficiency.     

Characterization of a <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas fluorescens</Emphasis> strain from tomato rhizosphere and its use for integrated management of tomato damping-off

A highly antagonistic Pseudomonas fluorescens strain was isolated from tomato rhizosphere and characterized for its in vitro and in vivo biocontrol potential against Pythium aphanidermatum. The identified Pseudomonas fluorescens strain (PfT-8) was capable of producing high levels of chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase, cellulase, fungitoxic metabolites and siderophores. Seven different carrier formulations including a talc-based powder, lignite-based powder, peat-based powder, lignite + fly ash-based powder, wettable powder, bentonite-paste and polyethylene glycol (PEG) paste were prepared utilizing PfT-8. Shelf life was evaluated for up to 6 months of storage at ambient room temperature (28 °C). Biocontrol efficacy of formulations was studied under greenhouse and field conditions. The formulations were stable up to at least 2 months of storage at ambient room temperature. Among the formulations, peat, lignite, lignite+fly-ash and bentonite paste based formulations maintained higher propagule number than others and also showed greater biocontrol potential. However, propagule number gradually decreased with time. Several organic amendments including farm yard manure (FYM), leaf-compost, poultry manure, press mud, vermi-compost and neem cake were incorporated into soil to study their influence on P. fluorescens colonization in the rhizosphere and on potential disease control. Soil incorporation of organic amendments and specifically poultry manure and FYM, significantly reduced damping-off incidence and also augmented the rhizosphere population of the marked␣P.␣fluorescens strain that was resistant to streptomycin and rifampicin. An integrated␣approach of damping-off management employing dual inoculation of PfT-8 in seed and soil coupled with soil application of organic amendments including poultry manure or␣FYM was evaluated under field conditions. Under these conditions, damping-off incidence substantially reduced by up to 90% and further the healthy plant stand, plant biomass and plant rhizosphere population of P. fluorescens increased significantly.     

Effect of water deficit on microbial characteristics in soil amended with sewage sludge or inorganic fertilizer under laboratory conditions

The potential impact of different types of organic (sewage sludge) or inorganic (mineral fertilizer) amendments to a basic soil was investigated under dry conditions. A soil incubation experiment was carried out over 64 days; there were two fertility treatments: sewage sludge (SS) (140 t ha(-1)), mineral fertilizer (M) and an unamended control (C). Two levels of irrigation were imposed: (1) well-watered, kept at 60% of its water holding capacity, and (2) water-deficit at 6%. Available N-NO3-, N-NH4+ and P, and electrical conductivity (EC) increased in SS and M-treated soils. Under well-watered conditions activities of some enzymes (protease-BAA, phosphatase and beta-glucosidase), and microbiological properties (microbial biomass carbon, basal respiration and dehydrogenase activity) were stimulated in SS-treated soils. Under water-deficit conditions, protease-BAA, phosphatase and beta-glucosidase activities, and basal respiration were more reduced in SS than in C and M. Results showed that under severe dry conditions, soil microbial activity always remained higher in organic amended soils than when mineral fertilizer was added.     

Effect of various amendments on heavy mineral oil bioremediation and soil microbial activity

To examine the effects of amendments on the degradation of heavy mineral oil, we conducted a pilot-scale experiment in the field for 105 days. During the experiment, soil samples were collected and analyzed periodically to determine the amount of residual hydrocarbons and evaluate the effects of the amendments on microbial activity. After 105 days, the initial level of contamination (7490+/-480 mg hydrocarbon kg(-1) soil) was reduced by 18-40% in amended soils, whereas it was only reduced by 9% in nonamended soil. Heavy mineral oil degradation was much faster and more complete in compost-amended soil than in hay-, sawdust-, and mineral nutrient-amended soils. The enhanced degradation of heavy mineral oil in compost-amended soil may be a result of the significantly higher microbial activity in this soil. Among the studied microbial parameters, soil dehydrogenase, lipase, and urease activities were strongly and negatively correlated with heavy mineral oil biodegradation (P<0.01) in compost-amended soil.     

Heavy metal leaching from mine tailings as affected by organic amendments

A column experiment was conducted to investigate Zn, Cd, and Pb leaching from mine tailings as affected by the addition of organic amendments. Composted yard waste, composted cattle manure, and cattle manure aged for one month increased heavy metal leaching from mine tailings when compared to an unamended control. Aged cattle manure and composted cattle manure significantly increased Zn concentration in the leachate. The maximum Zn concentration in leachate from the manure-amended treatments was as high as 3.7 mg/L, whereas Zn concentrations from the control were less than 0.7 mg/L. All organic amendments increased Cd leachate concentrations. The presence of aged cattle manure greatly increased Pb concentrations in the leachate from less than 10 microg/L for the control treatment to higher than 60 microg/L. Lead concentration in leachate was positively correlated with inorganic carbon, total organic carbon, total carbon and bicarbonate. Although organic amendments increased Zn, Cd, and Pb leaching when compared with the control treatment, Zn concentrations were lower than the 5 mg/L secondary drinking water standard, and Pb concentrations were only minimally higher than the 15 microg/L drinking water standard. Cadmium concentrations from manure treatments exceeded the 5 microg/L drinking water standard but only during the first 15 days. Organic amendments may encourage establishment of vegetation in mining areas that may minimize heavy metal contamination through runoff and erosion. However, increased risk due to heavy metal leaching in the presence of organic amendments should be carefully considered.     

Effect of organic soil amendments on damping-off of lettuce caused by Corticium praticola

Ten organic amendments were added to unsterile soil which was contaminated 14 days later with Corticium praticola and sown with lettuce seeds. Substantial increases in final stands of seedlings were obtained with grass meal, bran and wood cellulose. Corn and barley meal, linseed cake and fish meal decreased final stands; molassine meal, potato starch and peptone had relatively little effect. Seedlings grown with wood cellulose were very chlorotic and stunted. Up to 30% of lettuce seeds sown in soil which, 180 days earlier, had been amended with corn meal and contaminated with C. praticola became colonized by the fungus. None was colonized in unamended soil or in soil amended with grass meal. Ninety days after amendment and contamination fewer seeds were colonized in soil amended with grass meal than in unamended soil. The amendment of soil with grass meal was as effective as thiram seed treatment in protecting lettuce seedlings against C. praticola and grass meal was particularly effective in reducing both the numbers of seedlings attacked and the survival of the fungus in the soil.     

Effect of Compost and Manure Soil Amendments on Nematodes and on Yields of Potato and Barley: A 7-Year Study

A 7-year study located in Prince Edward Island, Canada, examined the influence of compost and manure on crop yield and nematode populations. The compost used in this study consisted of cull waste potatoes, sawdust, and beef manure in a 3:3:1 ratio, respectively. No plant-parasitic nematodes were detected in samples collected from windrow compost piles at 5- and 30-cm depths prior to application on field plots. Low population densities of bacterial-feeding nematodes were recovered from compost windrows at the 5-cm depth. Field plots of potato (Solanum tuberosum cv. Kennebec) received compost applied at 16 metric tonnes per hectare, or beef manure applied at 12 metric tonnes per hectare. An adjacent trial with barley (Hordeum vulgare cv. Mic Mac) received only the compost treatment. In both trials the experimental design was a complete randomized block with four replicates. Data averaged over seven growing seasons indicated that population levels of root-lesion nematodes (primarily Pratylenchus penetrans) were higher in root-zone soil in potato plots treated with either compost or manure compared to the untreated control plots. The soil amendments did not affect root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne hapla) population densities in the potato plots, but clover-cyst nematodes (Heterodera trifolii) were more numerous in the root-zone soils of barley treated with compost compared to the untreated plots. Numbers of bacterial-feeding nematodes (primarily Diplogaster lheritieri) were greater in soil in potato plots treated with manure and in soil around barley roots than in untreated plots. Total yields of potato tubers averaged over seven growing seasons increased by 27% in the plots treated with either compost or manure. Grain yields of barley also were increased by 12% when compost was applied. These results indicated that organic amendments increased crop yields, but the impacts on different nematode species varied and usually increased soil population levels.     

Heavy metals fractionation and organic matter mineralisation in contaminated calcareous soil amended with organic materials

Degradation of organic matter (OM) from organic amendments used in the remediation of metal contaminated soils leads to changes in soil chemical properties shortly after their addition, which may affect the soil metal distribution. The effects of two differing organic amendments on OM mineralisation and fractionation of heavy metals in a contaminated soil were investigated in an incubation experiment. The treatments were: control unamended soil, soil amended with fresh cow manure, and soil amended with a compost having a high maturity degree. The soil used was characteristic of the mining area at La Unión (Murcia, Spain) with 28% CaCO(3) and sandy-loam texture (pH 7.7; 2602 mg kg(-1)Zn; 1572 mg kg(-1)Pb). Manure and compost C-mineralisation after 56 days (24% and 3.8%, respectively) were below values reported previously for uncontaminated soils. Both amendments favoured Zn and Pb fixation, particularly the manure. Mn solubility increased at the beginning of the experiment due to a pH effect, and only Cu solubility increased through organic matter chelation in both amended soils.     

Breakdown of low-level total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in contaminated soil using grasses and willows

A phytoremediation study targeting low-level total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) was conducted using cool- and warm-season grasses and willows (Salix species) grown in pots filled with contaminated sandy soil from the New Haven Rail Yard, CT. Efficiencies of the TPH degradation were assessed in a 90-day experiment using 20–8.7–16.6 N-P-K water-soluble fertilizer and fertilizer with molasses amendments to enhance phytoremediation. Plant biomass, TPH concentrations, and indigenous microbes quantified with colony-forming units (CFU), were assessed at the end of the study. Switchgrass grown with soil amendments produced the highest aboveground biomass. Bacterial CFU's were in orders of magnitude significantly higher in willows with soil amendments compared to vegetated treatments with no amendments. The greatest reduction in TPH occurred in all vegetated treatments with fertilizer (66–75%) and fertilizer/molasses (65–74%), followed sequentially by vegetated treatments without amendments, unvegetated treatments with amendments, and unvegetated treatments with no amendment. Phytoremediation of low-level TPH contamination was most efficient where fertilization was in combination with plant species. The same level of remediation was achievable through the addition of grasses and/or willow combinations without amendment, or by fertilization of sandy soil.     

The effect of Piriformospora indica on the root development of maize (Zea mays L.) and remediation of petroleum contaminated soil

As the depth of soil petroleum contamination can vary substantially under field conditions, a rhizotron experiment was performed to investigate the influence of endophyte, P. indica, on maize growth and degradation of petroleum components in a shallow and a deep-reaching subsurface layer of a soil. For control, a treatment without soil contamination was also included. The degree in contamination and the depth to which it extended had a strong effect on the growth of the plant roots. Contaminated soil layers severely inhibited root growth thus many roots preferred to bypass the shallow contaminated layer and grow in the uncontaminated soil. While the length and branching pattern of these roots were similar to those of uncontaminated treatment. Inoculation of maize with P. indica could improve root distribution and root and shoot growth in all three contamination treatments. This inoculation also enhanced petroleum degradation in soil, especially in the treatment with deep-reaching contamination, consequently the accumulation of petroleum hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the plant tissues were increased.     

Phytoremediation Effect and Growth Responses of Cynodon spp. and Agropyron desertorum in a Petroleum-Contaminated Soil

In order to compare the petroleum tolerance and phytoremediation ability of a native grass, Agropyron desertorum (desert Wheatgrass) with Cynodon spp. (Bermuda grass) in a petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil, a 7-month greenhouse experiment was performed. There were 4 soil treatments with 0% (uncontaminated soil), 2%, 4%, and 12% (w_oil/w_soil) petroleum concentration. Parameters including shoot and root fresh weight and dry weight, root penetration depth and root density depth, soil respiration, and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) degradation were measured during and after experiments. The results showed an increase in shoot fresh weight of A. desertorum in soil polluted with 2% petroleum sludge compared to the uncontaminated soil, whereas the growth of Bermuda grass significantly decreased in corresponding treatment. Root growth of A. desertorum was decreased in 2% and 4% petroleum sludge, whereas it was increased in Bermuda grass species. Overall, root fresh weight of Bermuda grass was higher than that of A. desertorum in all treatments. Significant increase in microorganisms' activity was observed in the presence of petroleum sludge and plants in soil compared with uncontaminated soil without plants, and the highest soil respiration (37.6 mg C-CO₂/kg soil day) has been observed in the rhizosphere of Bermuda grass in treatment with 12% petroleum sludge. Plants had a significant role in the degradation of soil contaminants as TPH degradation in planted soils was significantly higher than that in unplanted soil (TPH degradation (%) was 30.4 and 38.9 in A. desertorum and Bermuda grass, respectively, whereas it was just 13.3 in unplanted soil). The rhizosphere of Bermuda grass had significantly less residual TPHs compared to A. desertorum. The results indicated that both Cynodon spp. and A. desertorum had a peculiar tolerance to petroleum pollution. Therefore, as Bermuda grass has already been suggested to be a typical and efficient species for phytoremediating petroleum-contaminated sites, A. desertorum may also prove to be a suitable native alternative.