Abstract
Glufosinate ammonium (G-A) is a broad-spectrum herbicide with potential residual toxicity to soil, plants, and food chains. Continuous use threatens crop, soil, and microbial health, necessitating ecofriendly detoxification strategies. A resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae OC54 was tried for degradation of gradient concentration of G-A at 0, 1, 1.5, 2, and 2.5 mM in vitro to enhance resistance to 2.5 mM dose in mutant rice lines and Youngjin wild-type. OC54 inoculation enhanced shoot and root length by (14.4, 33.3%) and biomass (20%), respectively, and activate superoxide dismutase, catalase by (30, 23.22%), glutamine, alanine, and cysteine by 35 μg/mL, and Ca(2+), carotenoids contents. OsGS1:1 expression doubled, analogous to upregulation of OsPDR4, OsCPK10, OsPRX19, OsCYP92A9, and OsAUX1, respectively. This finding advances novel G-A detoxification through antioxidants, hormonal signaling, and gene regulation. Further, OC54 improved herbicide selectivity, nutrient uptake, and stress resilience. Utilizing OC54 as a microbial inoculant promotes sustainable weed management and soil bioremediation.