Biochemical Changes under Chromium Stress on Germinating Seedlings of <i>Vigna radiata</i>

Abstract

Hexavalant chromium is considered the most toxic form because of its high solubility in water. Cr is known to induce production of elevated concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS) resulted in macromolecule damage. Plants are having unique mechanisms to overcome ROS induced damage by accumulation of proline, ascorbate and glutathione and increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), and ascorbate peroxidaes (APX), peroxidise (POX). In the present investigation effects of chromium on seed germination of Mung bean (Vigna radiata ‛Gujarat Mung-4') were studied. Seeds were treated with different Cr concentrations (50, 100, 150 and 200 μM) for seven days. On 7 th day root and shoot length was measured and activities of antioxidant enzyme SOD, APX, POX, CAT and GR were checked along with protein, proline and lipid peroxidation. It was observed that there is gradual decrease in shoot and root length with respect to the increase in Cr concentration. Level of lipid peroxidation significantly increased along with proline and antioxidant enzyme activity at higher Cr concentration. Lipid peroxidation is an indication of membrane damage due to elevated production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). To combat oxidative damage by ROS antioxidant enzyme activity increased significantly, which indicates that antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, APX and GR) play a crucial role during Cr stress during germination of V. radiata.

Glycinebetaine mediates chromium tolerance in mung bean through lowering of Cr uptake and improved antioxidant system

“…Under Cr stress, reduction in plant growth and biomass of many plant species widely reported in the literature(Dey et al 2009;Diwan et al 2012; Ali et al 2013;Gill et al 2015). Similarly, adverse effects of Cr on plant growth and biomass and chlorophyll contents have also been reported in mung bean plants(Rout et al 1997; Bera et al 1999; Samantary 2002; Banerjee et al 2008;Suthar et al 2014). This decrease in plant growth and biomass might be due to increase in metal uptake and decrease in nutrient uptake by the plants under metal stress(Rizwan et al 2012;Pradas-del-Real et al 2013;Keller et al 2015;Khaliq et al 2015).…”