BACKGROUND: Rhizosphere is a natural phenomenon which has been identified as plant assisted bioremediation and comprises of bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes along the root zone. Rhizosphere can be enhanced by providing the nutrients and favourable environmental condition and is considered an ecological remediation unit. In the present study, mycorrhizal sorghum roots and bacterial strains present therein have been used as a natural source for the synthesis of photocatalytic TiO2 nanoparticles. RESULTS: The microorganisms from the root zone of the rhizosphere were isolated and identified by 16 PsrDNA. The microorganisms Micrococcus lylae (MF1), Micrococcus aloeverae (MF2), Cellulosimicrobium sp. (MF3), their consortium and the root extracts were found to be effective for synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles. The synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles were characterized by XRD, TEM and FTIR. These synthesized nanoparticles were used for photodegradation of methyl orange dye under the influence of UV light in a reactor. CONCLUSION: The rhizospheric microorganisms and roots have been established as a novel natural source for synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles and were found to be effective for the degradation of toxic methyl orange dye. This green synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles is beneficial for hazardous wastewater remediation to clean up the environment. (C) 2017 Society of Chemical Industry