Abstract
Arsenic (As) is a toxic metalloid. As phyto-toxicity is manifested by its accumulation in different tissue types and subsequent growth inhibition in plants. Despite the vital role of leguminous crops in providing proteins to human diets, a little is known about the As accumulation in lentil. In this study, the rate of As uptake and transport from soil to root, shoot and grain of lentil as well as associated risks with the consumption of As contaminated food were examined. Biomass accumulation of lentil genotypes pardina, red chief and precoz drastically decreased when treated with As at 6 mg kg−1 concentration in comparison to 0 and 3 mg kg−1 As. Quantification of As concentrations following different treatment periods showed that As accumulation in roots and shoots of 0, 3 and 6 mg kg−1 As-treated lentil genotypes was statistically different. Arsenic content in grains of red chief genotype was found significantly lower than pardina and precoz. Moreover, As transport significantly increased in roots and shoots compared to the grains. Due to the high concentrations of As in biomass of lentil genotypes, animal as well as human health risk might be associated with the consumption of the As contaminated legume crops.
Highlights
Lentil roots are typically the first tissue to be exposed to As, where the metalloid inhibits root extension and proliferation. This metal translocated to the shoot and grain and it can be rigorously constrained of physiological growth by slowing or arresting growth and biomass accumulation, as well as compromising plant reproductive capacity[20]
Average dry weight of red chief root, shoot and pod at 0, 3 and 6 mg kg−1 As treated condition were found significantly higher than other lentil genotypes at week 6, 10 and 13 (Figs 1a–3b)
Biomass of 3 mg kg−1 and 6 mg kg−1 As-treated pardina, red chief and precoz lentil genotypes significantly decreased compared to the control plants grown in As free medium (Figs 1a–3b)
Summary
The rate of As uptake and transport from soil to root, shoot and grain of lentil as well as associated risks with the consumption of As contaminated food were examined. The situation is devastating in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan[6,7,8] This toxic element (As) is found naturally in all soils throughout the world[9,10]. Lentil roots are typically the first tissue to be exposed to As, where the metalloid inhibits root extension and proliferation This metal translocated to the shoot and grain and it can be rigorously constrained of physiological growth by slowing or arresting growth and biomass accumulation, as well as compromising plant reproductive capacity[20]. Total chlorophyll, catalase and ascorbic acid content drastically reduced in food crops due to the imposition of excess metals (As)[22]
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