Vol. 10, Special Issue 1, Part C (2026)

Phytoremediation is an environmentally friendly and economical method where plants and the microorganisms around the plants are used to eliminate, stabilize, or decompose the pollutants in the contaminated soils, water, and air. Microbial synergies are also very important in improving the effectiveness of phyto-remediation through improvement of plant growth, ability to withstand stress, and change of contaminants. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), mycorrhizal fungi, and endophytic microbes coexist mutually with plant roots and promote nutrient uptake as well as synthesize phytohormones such as auxins, gibberellins, and cytokinins, which enhance root development and biomass gain. These microorganisms also release their enzymes and chelating agents that increase the bioavailability and degradation of heavy metals, hydrocarbons, and organic pollutants. Further, microbial consortia are able to cause systemic tolerance to the plants against oxidative and metal stress, thereby ensuring physiological and biochemical stability during contaminated environments. Specificity and efficiency of phytoremediation are further enhanced through the integration of innovative microbial biotechnology, including those that are genetically engineered and microbial consortia. The mechanisms of plant-microbe-pollutant interactions and the optimization of microbial association are a sustainable way of recovering the polluted ecosystem through understanding the mechanisms of interaction between the microbes and plants, and pollutants.