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Induction of phytochelatins and antioxidant defence system in Brassica juncea and Vigna radiata in response to chromium treatments

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Abstract

Growth performance, chromium (Cr) accumulation potential and induction of antioxidative defence system and phytochelatins (PCs) were studied in hydroponically grown Brassica juncea (Indian mustard) and Vigna radiata (mungbean) at various levels of Cr treatments (0, 50, 100, 200 μM Cr). B. juncea accumulated twofolds and threefolds higher Cr in root and shoot, respectively than in V. radiata. Compared to B. juncea, V. radiata was found to be particularly sensitive to Cr as observed by the severity and development of Cr toxicity symptoms and decreased growth. Induction of PC and enzymes of antioxidant defence system were monitored as plant’s primary and secondary metal detoxifying responses, respectively. There was induction of PC and enzymes of antioxidant defence system in both the plants. PCs were induced significantly in roots and shoot of both the plants at all the levels of Cr treatments. Significantly higher activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase (GR) were observed in shoot of B. juncea than V. radiata at all the levels of Cr treatments. Induction of PCs along with antioxidant defence system in response to Cr stress suggests the cumulative role of PCs and antioxidants in conferring tolerance against accumulated Cr in B. juncea, and thereby signifies the suitability of this plant as one of the potential remediators of Cr.

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Abbreviations

APX:

Ascorbate peroxidase

CAT:

Catalase

Cr:

Chromium

DTNB:

5′ Dithio-bis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid)

Fw:

Fresh weight

GR:

Glutathione reductase

GSH:

Reduced glutathione

LSD:

Least significant difference

MT:

Metallothioneins

MDA:

Malondialdehyde

ROS:

Reactive oxygen species

SOD:

Superoxide dismutase

TBA:

Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances

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  1. Molecular Ecology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Hamdard University, New Delhi, 110062, India

    Hema Diwan, Ishrat Khan, Altaf Ahmad & Muhammad Iqbal

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  1. Hema Diwan
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  2. Ishrat Khan
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  3. Altaf Ahmad
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Correspondence to Altaf Ahmad.

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Diwan, H., Khan, I., Ahmad, A. et al. Induction of phytochelatins and antioxidant defence system in Brassica juncea and Vigna radiata in response to chromium treatments. Plant Growth Regul 61, 97–107 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10725-010-9454-0

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