Alleviating arsenic induced toxicity in Cicer arietinum L Chickpea genotypes

Abstract

The present study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of different AM fungal species on As (AsV and AsIII) induced stress responses in two differentially metalloid tolerant chickpea genotypes (HC 3 and C 235). The results indicated negative impacts of As on root and shoot growth, water and nutrient status, chlorophyll (Chl) pigment concentrations, mycorrhizal and rhizobial symbioses in a concentration, genotype as well as organ dependent manner, which ultimately declined the reproductive potential, with AsIII being more toxic than AsV. Negative impacts of As could be related to reduced availability of nutrients due to decline in glomalin production as well as soil-microbial enzymatic activities. Nourishment of the As-stressed roots with AM species, significantly enhanced plant growth and productivity, more significantly in HC 3 than C 235, which was related to their differential mycorrhizal responsiveness. Mycorrhizal inoculation restored the osmotic status, decreased ROS production and enhanced the activities of antioxidants as well as thiols. Ri was the most effective in imparting As stress tolerance, followed by Fm and then Cc. Present study highlighted the importance of selecting the most compatible host-mycorrhizal combination for enhancing chickpea production in As affected areas. newline