Plant microcosm studies demonstrating bioremediation of cyanide toxicity by Trichoderma and Fusarium spp.

The biodegradation of cyanide by Trichoderma and Fusarium spp. growing in association with plant roots in microcosms was investigated with CN^– at 50 or 100 mg/kg. Pea and wheat seeds germinated and plants grew only when seeds were inoculated with the fungi, probably because the plant/fungal association was capable of promoting cyanide catabolism. Inoculation by fungi also increased plant shoot lengths and the biomass of shoots and root compared with control plants without CN^– and fungi. Such plant/fungal association shows potential as a land remediation system.