BIOACCUMULATION AND TRANSPORT OF ARSENIC IN DIFFERENT GENOTYPES OF LENTIL (LENS CULINARIS MEDIK.)

Abstract

Eight genotypes of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) were tested for bioaccumulation and transport of arsenic (As) in a pot experiment under controlled growth condition. Along with control (no As was added), plants were grown for 60 d in pot soil spiked with 100 mg As kg⁻¹, added as Sodium arsenate. Significant (P < 0.05) variations among eight genotypes were observed in bioaccumulation and transport of As in different plant parts. In general, roots contained higher amount of As than shoots, resulting in lowering of bioaccumulation factors but rise in the value of bioconcentration factors. The upward transport of As from roots to shoots was evidenced by moderate to high transfer factors and enrichment factors in six of the eight genotypes studied. L 414 and L 830 are relatively safe for edible purposes. The results suggested genotypic differences in As accumulation in lentil crops grown in As-contaminated regions.