The use of constructed wetlands (CWs) is a promising approach for the remediation of wastewater. The present study aims to develop a plant–bacteria system within CWs for the efficient remediation of tannery effluent. In a vertical-flow CW vegetated withLeptochloa fusca(Kallar grass), a consortium of three different endophytic bacteria,Pantoea stewartiiASI11,Microbacterium arborescensHU33, andEnterobactersp. HU38, was used for bioaugmentation. CWs vegetated with onlyL. fuscahad the potential to remediate tannery effluent, but augmentation with endophytic bacteria enhanced the growth ofL. fuscawhile aiding in the removal of both organic and inorganic pollutants from the tannery effluent. Moreover, the bacterial augmentation decreased toxicity in the effluent as well. A higher number of chromium (Cr)-resistant bacteria were isolated from the rhizosphere and endosphere ofL. fuscainoculated with the endophytes than from uninoculated plants. Due to promising bioremediation and detoxification potential ofL. fusca, it is reported for the first time as a potential candidate to develop effective CWs for the remediation of polluted effluents in combination with pollutant-degrading endophytic bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]