Abstract
Arsenic pollution is at present an emerging global crisis. Arsenic is a naturally occurring metalloid found in water, soil and air from natural and anthropogenic sources. Currently, Arsenic pollution has gained a burning global importance due to its toxic effects. Growth of major pulse crop Mungbean (<i>Vigna radiata</i> (L.)Wilczek) was affected right from seedling stage when treated with Sodium arsenate (Na<sub>2</sub>HAsO<sub>4</sub>.7H<sub>2</sub>O). With the increase in concentration of Sodium arsenate (5μM, 10μM and 20μM) significant decrease in seedling length, water content and primary leaf area was observed. The vital pigments like chlorophyll, caroteniod content as well as Hill activity reduced appreciably in sodium arsenate treated seedlings which indicates poor photosynthetic metabolism. Arsenate exposure also altered metabolism of main photosynthate, sucrose. Arsenate toxicity led to decrease in reducing and non reducing sugar content in the mungbean seedlings whereas starch content was elevated. Pretreatment of mungbean seeds with Phytohormone-GA<sub>3</sub> and Kinetin could ameliorate Arsenate induced toxicity to different extent in terms of growth and sucrose metabolism. Thus, the use of GA<sub>3</sub> and Kinetin may help to resist the arsenic toxicity in seedling stage, to some extent, in arsenic contaminated areas.
Highlights
Arsenic pollution is at present an emerging global crisis
From the results of the present investigation, it can be concluded that Sodium arsenate is extremely toxic for plant growth
Arsenate affects the early growth of mungbean seedlings, the root growth
Summary
Groundwater contamination by Arsenic (As) has been reported from many countries. Arsenic contaminated ground water is extensively used for irrigating crops. The impact of this contaminated water for irrigating pulse fields is of much concern as mungbean is a major pulse crop of world population. Productivity of crop plants is bound to suffer when irrigated with water contaminated with Arsenic. Plants grown in presence of arsenate or arsenite show reduced seed germination and growth [1, 2]. Elevated soil As level resulting from long term use of arsenic contaminated groundwater for irrigation inhibit rice seed germination and seedling establishment. Yield of Mungbean is bound to suffer if As toxicity becomes prevalent in the productive cropland where it is grown
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