Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus (AMF) and reduction of arsenic uptake in lentil crops

Abstract

Arsenic (As) is a carcinogenic and hazardous substance that poses a serious risk to human health. Physiological studies have shown that growth of lentil crop have been impaired due to arsenic toxicity, and is transportable into human food chains. Our research focused on the transportation of As in lentil crops and its mitigation using Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus (AMF). Shoot length, fresh and dry weight of shoot and root were found comparatively higher in 5 and 15 mgkg-1 arsenic treated lentil seedlings than in a 100 mgkg-1 As concentrated soil. As accumulation in lentils pods of BARI Mashur 1 were found higher than others; but As uptake in root and shoot were increased significantly in all BARI released lentil genotypes. Biomass growth of lentil was found higher in AMF treated soils in compare to non-AMF. AMF effectively reduced the arsenic uptake in root and shoot at 8 and 45 mgkg-1 As concentrated soils compared. As free lentil seeds are significantly important for human consumption through mitigation of As accumulation in lentil roots shoots and pods. AMF shows great potential in providing As free lentil seeds throughout the world.