nstantaneous and historical temperature effects on a-pinene
Chromium-induced alterations
in photosynthesis and
associated attributes in Indian mustard
Author Details
HemaDiwan
Molecular
Ecology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, HamdardUniversity,
New Delhi - 110 062, India
AltafAhmad
Molecular
Ecology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, HamdardUniversity,
New Delhi - 110 062, India
MuhammadIqbal
(Corresponding author)
Molecular Ecology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Faculty of
Science, HamdardUniversity,
New Delhi - 110 062, India
Department of Plant Production, College
of Food and Agricultural Sciences, KingSaudUniversity,
Riyadh
? 11451, Saudi Arabia
e-mail:
iqbalg5@yahoo.co.in
Publication Data
Paper received:
07
May 2010
Revised
received:
10
December 2010
Accepted:
08 January 2011
Abstract
Contamination
of soil and water by chromium (Cr) is increasing enormously due to
anthropogenic activities. The potential of plants to accumulate or stabilize
Cr compounds for the purpose of remediation of Cr contamination has been
recognized in recent years. We conducted pot experiments to study
photosynthesis and associated attributes in cvPusaJaiKisan of Indian mustard under
natural as well as Cr-loaded environmental conditions. High doses of Cr
caused toxic effects in plants, as evident by a reduction in photosynthetic
rate (24.3 to 8.7 ?mol CO2 m-2 s-1 at 80
DAS), nitrate reductase activity (3.76 to 1.30 ?mol
nitrite g-1 f. wt. h-1 at 80 DAS) and the contents of
chlorophyll (1.49 to 0.86 mg g-1 f. wt. at 80 DAS) and soluble
protein (2.96 to 1.93 mg g-1 f. wt. at 80 DAS). Since plants lack
a specific Cr-transport system, mineral nutrient contents also changed due to
Cr toxicity. Cr accumulation in different plant parts was affected by both
duration and dose of Cr treatments, with a maximal localization of Cr in
roots (up to 0.77 mg g-1 d. wt) at initial stages (40 DAS) and in
stem (up to 4.19 mg g-1 d. wt) at the later stage (80 DAS) of
plant growth. Thus, Indian mustard was able to withstand Cr stress and
protect itself from Cr toxicity by altering various metabolic processes.
Owing to its ability to accumulate large amounts of Cr, it may be useful in
the process of land reclamation.
?
Key
words
Chlorophyll,
Chromium, Indian mustard, Nitrate reductase, Phytotoxicity, Phytoremediation
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