Study on arsenate tolerant and sensitive cultivars of Zea mays L.: differential detoxification mechanism and effect on nutrients status

Abstract

The study identifies sensitive and tolerant cultivars of Zea mays L. (cv. Azad kamal (AK) and Azad uttam (AU)) towards As(V) induced stress, based upon growth biochemical parameters and metal(loid) levels in a sand culture. As(V) (μgg⁻¹ dw) accumulation was lower in cv. AK (31 ± 1 and 107 ± 30) than cv. AU (34.5 ± 3.3 and 132.6) in leaves and roots, respectively, which correlated with lower levels of malondialdehyde and H₂O₂. No definite trend of Mn, Cu, Zn, Fe, Ca, K and Na accumulation signifies that As(V) has little influence on their uptake. Total chlorophyll and protein levels increased in cv. AK and decreased in cv. AU at 7d. Higher levels of SOD and GR in cv. AK and conversely higher levels of APX, GPX and CAT in cv. AU could be a possible differential detoxification mechanism between the cultivars. The results indicate that cv. AK seems to be arsenate tolerant than cv. AU. We assure that the undertaken study does not involve humans or experimental animals and were conducted in accordance with national and institutional guidelines for the protection of human subjects and animal welfare.