Role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in phytoremediation of heavy metals and effects on growth and biochemical activities of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants in Zn contaminated soils

The increase of metals pollution in soil is a worldwide problem that affects the health of humans and environment. The use of green technology such as phytoremediation is one of the environmental friendly techniques, in which plants and other microbes are used to reduce the level of metals contaminants in soil and lower its uptake towards plants tissues. Studies report that a number of cereal crops such as wheat accumulates heavy metals in their tissues at higher concentrations. In the present study, we investigated the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on wheat plants with the increase of three different zinc (Zn) concentrations (0, 100, 300 and 900 mgkg-1) in soil. After eight weeks of pot experiment, roots colonization, shoot and root biomass, growth, heavy metals contents and other biochemical parameters were assessed. The results indicate mycorrhizal inoculated (M) plants performed better at moderate Zn concentrations (300 mgkg-1). In AMF associated plants, Zn contents were lower in shoot part of plants as compared to roots. In addition, higher P contents were observed in M treated plants as compared to NM plants. The decrease of nutrient contents, growth and antioxidant enzymatic activities were found at the highest applied Zn concentrations (900 mgkg-1). Results indicate that AMF inoculum exhibit different tolerance strategies to reduce metals toxicity in host plants. The effective mycorrhizal symbiosis was observed with wheat plants and can be useful for phytostabilization of Zn contaminated soils which can play a vital role in the increase of food productivity and safety.Key words: Wheat, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, phosphorus, nutrient contents, antioxidant enzymes

Pulmonary Dysfunction Augmenting Bacterial Aerosols in Leather Tanneries of Punjab, Pakistan

Peer reviewe

Metabolomics profiling reveals the detoxification and tolerance behavior of two bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties under arsenate stress

Acknowledgment Swedish Metabolomics Centre, Umeå, Sweden (www.swedishmetabolomicscentre.se) is acknowledged for metabolic profiling by LC-TOF-MS and amino acid quantification by LC-QqQ-MSMS. We acknowledge Muhammad Anas (Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad) for his valuable contribution for data analysis in this study.Peer reviewe

Mitigating potential of polystyrene microplastics on bioavailability, uptake, and toxicity of copper in maize (Zea mays L.)

Acknowledgments This study received no grant from funding organizations in the public, private, or not-for-profit sectors.Peer reviewe

Pesticides contaminated dust exposure, risk diagnosis and exposure markers in occupational and residential settings of Lahore, Pakistan

There are few studies documenting the dust loaded with pesticides as a potential non-dietary exposure source for occupational worker and populations living near agricultural farms and pesticides formulation plants. In present study we have evaluated the pesticide concentration in dust from potential sites and relevant health risk from dust ingestion. Furthermore, the effect of currently used pesticides was investigated on blood and urine parameters of subjects: farmer, factory worker, urban resident and rural resident and controlled subjects with presumably different levels of exposure. The urinary metabolites (TCPY and IMPY) were quantified as biomarkers of exposure to chlorpyrifos and diazinon in relation with biomarkers of effect including BuChE, LH, FSH, testosterone and oxidative stress. Results showed that chlorpyrifos and diazinon were present in higher concentration in dust and posed a high health risk to exposed subjects. The mean SOD value was high among the farmer (3048 U/g Hb) followed by factory worker (1677.6U/g Hb). The urinary biomarkers – TCPY and IMPY- were found higher in exposed subjects as compared to control. Furthermore, testosterone was found in higher concentration in factory worker than control (12.63 ng/ml vs 4.61 ng/ml respectively). A decreased BuChE activity was noticed in occupational group and significant differences were observed in control verses exposed subjects. The PCA analysis evidenced the impact of pesticides on exposure biomarkers and male reproductive hormones. The study suggests that dust contaminated with pesticides engenders significant health risk particularly related to the nervous and endocrine system, not only for occupational workers exposed to direct ingestion but also for nearby residential community. Succinctly putting: Pesticides loaded dust in the city of Lahore, being a high priority concern for the government of Pakistan, demands to be addressed

Assessing residual status and spatial variation of current-use pesticides under the influence of environmental factors in major cash crop growing areas of Pakistan

The status of seven currently used pesticides were assessed under the influence of soil parameters in surface soils of cash crop growing areas of Pakistan. Chlorpyrifos occurred in highest mean concentration (1.18 mg kg−1). Selected pesticides exhibited higher affinity towards both organic carbon and black carbon fractions. The δ13C stable carbon isotopic fraction of inorganic carbon was also used as a tracer and disclosed high retention of total organic carbon in Swat and Swabi sites. Statistical analysis revealed that carbon storage was primarily influenced by altitude and temperature. Soil clay mineral oxides of aluminum and iron positively correlated with organic carbon and selected pesticides (chlorpyrifos and cyprodinil). Soil to plant bio-concentration ratios predicted heightened uptake of azinfos and diazinon in major cash crop bio mass. Occupational risk via soil ingestion expressed no significant threat to the farmer community

Vegetation mapping in the northwest of Pakistan

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