Accumulation and tolerance characteristics of chromium in nine jute varieties (Corchorus spp. and Hibiscus spp.)

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of chromium (Cr) on seed germination, growth characteristics and the Cr accumulation in nine jute varieties. Two separate experiments viz, germination and vegetative growth were analyzed. Plants were exposed to 0-500 ppm Cr for 30 days and were evaluated for growth, gas exchange, photosynthetic activity, tolerance index and Cr accumulation. Excess chromium negatively affects on germination parameters such as the germination frequency (GF), germination index (GI) and vigor index (VI). There was a clear difference in germination properties across the varieties particularly in O-795 and O-9897. All varieties were moderately tolerant to Cr toxicity, with O-795, CVE-3, and BJC-7370, showed small inhibitions in plant growth and photosynthetic characteristics than the others. Furthermore, O-795, CVE-3 and BJC-7370 exhibited higher Cr concentration in the root, stem, leaf, higher bio-concentration factor as well as higher biomass than other jute varieties. Therefore, O-795, CVE-3 and BJC-7370 jute varieties can be used as excellent annual crop candidates for phytoremediation of Cr polluted soils.