A Comparative Study on the Phytoextraction of Five Common Plants against Chromium Toxicity

Abstract

Phytoextraction is a remediation technology that uses plants to remove heavy metals from soil. The success of a phytoextraction process depends on adequate plant yield (aerial parts) and high metal concentrations in plant shoots. A paper towel experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of plants sunflower (Helianthus annuus), maize (Zea maize), pearl millet ( Sorghum bicolour), green gram (Vigna radiata) and ground nut (Arachis hypogaea). Seeds of these plants were exposed to five different concentrations (10,20,30,40,50 ppm ) of Cr as potassium dichromate. The ecotoxicological effects of hexavalent Chromium (Cr) on germination, early seedling growth and chlorophyll content of five plants were investigated. Cr accumulating capacity of those plants was compared. Different species showed different levels of tolerance to Cr pollution. Total chlorophyll content declined progressively with increasing concentrations of heavy metals. The maximum chromium accumulation capacity of roots was in the order of Zea mays > Sorghum bicolour > Helianthus annus > Arachis hypogaea > Vigna radiata and the amount is 5.56 , 3.65, 3.56, 0.8 and 0.08 ppm respectively.

Fertilizers and Mixed Crop Cultivation of Chromium Tolerant and Sensitive Plants under Chromium Toxicity

“…The chromium toxicity in plants occurs by inhibiting the growth more or less, showing chlorosis with brownish red or purple leaves and necrotic lesions. High chromium concentration inhibits photosynthesis and seriously inhibits the root growth [ 45 ].…”

Remediation of Chromium Toxicity by FYM and Vermicompost in Rice (Oryza sativa)

“…The Chromium toxicity in plants occurs by inhibiting the growth more or less, showing chlorosis. High chromium concentration inhibits photosynthesis and seriously inhibits the root growth reported by Dheeba and Sampathkumar (2012). The results of the pot experiments showed that chlorophyll content rice was significantly affected due to the application of organic amendments.…”

Μetal Uptake by Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) Irrigated with Water Polluted with Chromium and Nickel

“…The success of a phytoextraction process depends on sufficient plant yield (aerial parts) and high metal concentrations in plant parts [3]. Water pollution with heavy metals has been a worldwide concern, as it poses great threats to crop production causing significant cross-contamination of the food chain [4], resulting in negative impacts on human health [5]. As an emerging green technology, phytoextraction has increasingly received widespread attention [6].…”