Suitability Of Indian Mustard Genotypes For Phytoremediation Of Mercury-Contaminated Sites

Phytoremediation is an environment-friendly remediation technology, which has become widely accepted and is regarded as an easy and safe technique for removal of contaminants. Mercury (Hg) is one of the most toxic soil and water contaminants, which has not yet been widely treated via phytoremediation technology because Hg-accumulating plants were hitherto unknown. In the present study, ten genotypes (viz. Agrini, BTO, Kranti, Pusa Bahar, Pusa Basant, Pusa Bold, Pusa Jai Kisan, Vaibhav Vardhan and Varuna) of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) were grown hydroponically under five different Hg concentrations (0-50 mu M), and the changes in Hg uptake, plant growth and plant biomass were evaluated in order to determine the suitability of these genotypes, if any, for being used as Hg-phytoremediators. Genotype Pusa Jai Kisan was identified as the most Hg-tolerant genotype, accumulating up to 269.9 mu g Hg g(-1) dry weight (DW) in its subterranean parts and up to 61.7 mu g Hg g(-1) DW in its aerial parts. This genotype, therefore, seems to be quite suitable for use as a viable candidate for phytoremediation of Hg-contaminated sites. (C) 2021 SAAB. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.