Evaluation of Arsenic Accumulation in the Vegetables Okra (Abelmoschus Esculentus) and Bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris) Grown in Contaminated Soils

Sukanya Chandra; Rajnarayan Saha; Parimal Pal

Volume : III, Issue : VII, July - 2014

Evaluation of Arsenic Accumulation in the Vegetables Okra (Abelmoschus Esculentus) and Bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris) Grown in Contaminated Soils

Sukanya Chandra, Rajnarayan Saha, Parimal Pal

Abstract :

Experimental investigations are carried out to determine the arsenic uptake by the vegetable crops like Abelmoschus esculentus (okra) and Phaseolus vulgaris (beans). Arsenic (As) was applied in the pots as an aqueous solution of sodium arsenate containing six different levels of arsenic as 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 mg/kg of soil. The highest concentration of total arsenic were found in the roots of all vegetables and decreased in the aerial portions of the plants. Arsenic accumulation followed the trend of roots>fruits>leaves>stems in okra whereas in case of beans the trend is roots>leaves>stems>fruits. The accumulation of arsenic in different parts of the plants increased with increasing concentration of the applied arsenic solution. The results showed that these crops accumulated arsenic from contaminated soil and as a consequence a significant quantity of arsenic may enter into the human body through food chain mechanism.