Toxicity of As(III) and As(V) on morphological traits and pigments of Gram Seed (Cicer arietinum) during germination and early seedling growth

Arsenic (As) contamination is an important environmental consequence in some part of India and other countries. In this study, we investigated that individual phytotoxicity of both As(III) and As(V) on Cicer arietinum. Total five different concentrations (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 mg/L) of both As(III) and As(V) have been considered for this study. Results indicate that percent germination significantly (p < 0.05) reduced with increasing concentration of both As(III) and As(V). However, As(III) showed pronounced effects than As(V). The variation of root and shoot length was equally affected by arsenite, where as arsenate showed higher negative impact on shoot length than root length up to the concentration 6 mg/L. However, arsenate concentration greater than 6 mg/L showed opposite trend of variation in root and shoot length. The pigment (Chlorophyll ‘a’, ‘b’ and total chlorophylls) and carotenoids level also gradually decrease with increasing concentration of both forms of arsenic.