The Role of Pteris vittata Intercropping in Lowering the Arsenic Toxicity in the Growth of Crops in Arsenic Endow Soil
Vartika Singh *
Amity Institute of Environmental Sciences, Amity University, Uttar Pradesh, Noida- 201313, India.
Nandita Singh
CSIR National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow- 226001, India.
Jaswant Singh
Department of Environmental Sciences, Dr. RML Avadh University, Ayodhya-224001, India.
Amit Chauhan
Department of life Sciences, School of Sciences, CHRIST University, Bengaluru, Karnataka-560029, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Arsenic is a ubiquitous trace metalloid that is present in all environmental media. It is a common element in Earth’s crust, averaging approximately 3 mg/K. It can be locally abundant from anthropogenic activities or is naturally present, and it is also known as a member of the nitrogen family. As is toxic to humans, animals, and plants. Therefore, their entry into the food chain has become a matter of concern. Whenever arsenic is obtained from soil, it is considered to be a constituent of numerous minerals mainly associated with sulfur, most commonly arsenopyrite (FeAsS). Inorganic arsenate is also bound to iron and aluminium cations, or any other cation that might be present (e.g., calcium, zinc, magnesium, lead), as well as organic matter in the soil. Arsenic occurs in contaminated soils primarily in inorganic forms such as Arsenate and Arsenate, but soil microorganisms can also produce organic forms. Phytoremediation of As contamination requires the development of plant varieties with enhanced uptake and accumulation to remove As from the environment.
Keywords: Arsenic, hyperaccumulator, Pteris vittate, phytoremediation