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Application of Pteris vittata L. for phytoremediation of arsenic and biomonitoring of the process through cyto-genetic biomarkers of Trigonella foenum-graecum L.

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Abstract

The arsenic (As) contamination demands its remediation from the environment which is naturally possible by the application of Pteris vittata L. However, biomonitoring of phytoremediation potential of P. vittata at chromosomal and DNA level is still meager. The present study was designed to biomonitor the phytoremediation efficiency of P. vittata through phytotoxic and cyto-genotoxic biomarkers assessment using Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (Fenugreek; Methi) as test system. Study revealed hyperaccumulation potential of P. vittata which extracted arsenic in its tissues. Biomonitoring evaluation depicted that phytotoxic damage was reduced in Trigonella exposed to remediated soil, which was revealed through reduced electrolyte leakage, hydrogen peroxide and MDA content. Moreover, cyto-genetic endpoints like mitotic depression (44.03%), relative abnormality rate (16.6%) and chromosomal abnormality frequency (1.06%) were also lesser in test plants grown in remediated soil compared to those grown in non-remediated soil. Along with this various chromosomal aberrations like stickiness, breaks, laggards, bridges, fragmentations and micronuclei were also augmented in test plants exposed to non-remediated arsenic enriched soil. It was evident that arsenic enriched soil caused toxicity to plants in dose-dependent manner that was assessable through the analysis of biochemical parameters and cyto-genetic biomarkers. The cyto-genetic biomarkers are very efficient, simple and non-expensive tools to biomonitor arsenic toxicity at chromosomal as well as DNA level to assess the remediation potential of P. vittata in field conditions.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to Department of Botany, University of Lucknow, Lucknow for the facilities. Kiran Gupta is thankful to University Grant Commission (UGC), India for the award of Post-doctoral fellowship for women candidate for the financial support. Amit Kumar is thankful to SERB, DST, New Delhi for the award and financial assistance in form of SERB-NPDF.

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  1. Department of Botany, Lucknow University, Lucknow, 226007, India

    Kiran Gupta, Gauri Saxena & Amit Kumar

  2. Plant Stress Biology Laboratory, Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India

    Sudhakar Srivastava

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  1. Kiran Gupta
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Correspondence to Gauri Saxena or Amit Kumar.

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Gupta, K., Srivastava, S., Saxena, G. et al. Application of Pteris vittata L. for phytoremediation of arsenic and biomonitoring of the process through cyto-genetic biomarkers of Trigonella foenum-graecum L.. Physiol Mol Biol Plants 28, 91–106 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12298-022-01124-4

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