Abstract
The bio-agronomical response, along with the arsenic (As) translocation and partitioning were investigated in self-grafted melon “Proteo”, or grafted onto three interspecific (“RS841”, “Shintoza”, and “Strong Tosa”) and two intraspecific hybrids (“Dinero” and “Magnus”). Plants were grown in a soilless system and exposed to two As concentrations in the nutrient solution (0.002 and 3.80 mg L−1, referred to as As− and As+) for 30 days. The As+ treatment lowered the aboveground dry biomass (−8%, on average), but the grafting combinations differed in terms of photosynthetic response. As regards the metalloid absorption, the rootstocks revealed a different tendency to uptake As into the root, where its concentration varied from 1633.57 to 369.10 mg kg−1 DW in “Magnus” and “RS841”, respectively. The high bioaccumulation factors in root (ranging from 97.13 to 429.89) and the low translocation factors in shoot (from 0.015 to 0.071) and pulp (from 0.002 to 0.008) under As+, showed a high As mobility in the substrate–plant system, and a lower mobility inside the plants. This tendency was higher in the intraspecific rootstocks. Nonetheless, the interspecific “RS841” proved to be the best rootstock in maximizing yield and minimizing, at the same time, the As concentration into the fruit.
Highlights
Melon (Cucumis melo L.) is one of the major Cucurbit species, playing an important role in irrigated farmlands of the Mediterranean area [1]
Considering the above, the objective of this research was to study the effects of different rootstock genotypes on As uptake, accumulation, and partitioning, as well as on agronomical and physiological response of melon plants subjected to a high concentration of the metalloid in the root environment
When exposed to an As+ solution, all the grafting combinations acted to limit the As entrance into the plant, as can be inferred from the average reduction of BAFroot (−94.4%), BAFshoot (−98.1%), and BAFpulp (−99.6%)
Summary
Melon (Cucumis melo L.) is one of the major Cucurbit species, playing an important role in irrigated farmlands of the Mediterranean area [1]. In these regions, the water intended for irrigation could be contaminated with heavy metals as result of weathering of soil minerals and human activities [2]. Most As compounds are odorless, tasteless, and water-soluble, creating a serious health risk because of their carcinogenic potential [6] This metalloid exists in plant organs both as inorganic and organometallic species, whose concentration and oxidation states are dependent on the type and amounts of sorbents in the substrate, pH, redox potential (Eh), and soil microbial activity [7,8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
