Abstract
The effect of chromium on common agricultural crops (wheat, Indian mustard, sorghum, maize) was investigated and some alleviators were used to reduce chromium toxicity. Petri plate experiments were conducted in order to germinate seeds of crops. The results showed no reduction in germination up to 500 ppm but gradual decrease was observed in higher concentrations. Germination was higher in Indian mustard as compared to wheat and sorghum, however maize exhibited maximum germination. The higher chromium concentration (1000 ppm) significantly inhibited germination, plumule and radicle length. Addition of alleviators (ammonium sulphate, calcium sulphate, calcium phosphate, potassium chloride, zinc sulphate) indicated reduction in chromium toxicity. The most effective alleviator was zinc sulphate. It may be concluded that the attenuation of chromium toxicity by alleviators addition is directly attributed to its regulation on germination, and their distribution at radicle and plumule length. The present study can be used as a tool to alleviate chromium toxicity to enhance the yield of common crops in soils contaminated by chromium.
Highlights
Chromium is highly toxic metal which is present in many oxidation states but it is naturally stable in trivalent and hexavalent forms
K2Cr2O7 was used as hexavalent chromium as 1000 mg of K2Cr2O7 contains 353 mg chromium
As many studies reported that concentration (500 ppm) of chromium affected germination in wheat and sorghum [10], 40 ppm Cr caused 50% reduced seed germination in alfalfa and 57% decline in sugarcane buds was observed at 80 ppm Cr [15]
Summary
Chromium is highly toxic metal which is present in many oxidation states but it is naturally stable in trivalent and hexavalent forms. It is carcinogenic and causes serious health problems to the ecosystem. Its presence in water and soil causes an alteration in nutrient composition [1], [11]. Chromium joins soil through natural paths and disturbs normal functioning of soil and plant development [12]. It reduces root and shoot length, decrease rate of transpiration and photosynthesis, decrease plant biomass, lowers stomatal conductance, drops plant height etc [17]. Chromium decreases palisade number and parenchyma cells in plants, it increases amount of vacuoles and electron thick matter alongside xylem and phloem walls [21]
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