Accumulation and toxicity in different parts of wheat (Triticum aestivum) grown under arsenic stress

Arsenic is a toxic heavy metal that enters the environment through various natural and anthropogenic sources and affected various metabolic pathways of plants and animals. Wheat and other plants grown under Arsenic condition accumulate it and decreases growth and productivity. Its toxicity may result from disturbance in plant metabolic activity and disturbance in the uptake and transport of mineral nutrients. Some nutrients and arsenic compete for the same transporters and it accumulate in plant parts to replace nutrient. Arsenic accumulation was measured in plant tissues in different parts at maturity. Experiment was conducted on two varieties of wheat (C-306, WH-711) on three concentration of Arsenic 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg of soil. Experiment showed that higher concentration of arsenic significantly (p<0.05) uptake among both wheat varieties. Arsenic concentrations in plant tissues were as follows: roots > stems > grains. In the arsenic treatments, accumulation in roots was about 3-4 times higher than those in grains. Arsenic enters the plant system, may enter the food chain and cause harm to humans and animals. By observing these parameters of the two varieties of wheat WH-711 is more sensitive and accumulates more arsenic than C-306.