Journal of Environmental Biology

Arsenic accumulation in root and shoot vis-a-vis its effects on growth and level of phytochelatins in seedlings of Cicer arietinum L.

 

D.K. Gupta¹, R.D. Tripathi*², S. Mishra², S. Srivastava², S. Dwivedi², U.N. Rai², X.E. Yang¹, H. Huanj¹ and M. Inouhe³

¹College of Natural Resource and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang University, Huajianchi Campus, Hanghzou - 310 029, China

²Ecotoxicology and Bioremediation Group, National Botanical Research Institute, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow - 226 001, India

³Department of Biology and Earth Sciences, Ehime University, Matsuyama - 7908 577, Japan

(Received: August 14, 2006 ; Revised received: April 22, 2007 ;? Accepted: May 29, 2007)

Abstract: Arsenic (As) contamination of water and soil has become a subject of prime interest due to its direct effect on human health through drinking water and food. In present study, two varieties (CSG-8962 and C-235) of chickpea, Cicer arietinum L., which is a major supplementary food in many parts of India and a valuable source of protein, has been selected to estimate the level of arsenate in root and shoot of five day old seedlings vis-?-vis effect of arsenate on seedling growth and induction of thiols including glutathione (GSH) and phytochelatins (PCs) and their homologues. Both varieties accumulated arsenate to similar levels and most of the metalloid was confined to roots, only about 2.5% was translocated to shoot. Plant growth was also not affected significantly in both the varieties. Arsenate exposure significantly induced the levels of thiols including PCs and homophytochelatins (hPCs). The induction of thiols was much higher in roots than shoots and was greater in var. C-235 between the two tested ones. Thus, both varieties tolerated and detoxified arsenic through chelation with GSH, PCs and hPCs, primarily in roots, however var. C-235 performed better.

Key words:?? Arsenic, Chickpea, Homoglutathione, Glutathione, Phytochelatins, Homophytochelatins

 

PDF of full length paper is available with author (tripathi_rd@rediffmail.com)

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