Chromium (VI) Induced Biochemical Changes and Gum Content in Cluster Bean (<i>Cyamopsis tetragonoloba</i> L.) at Different Developmental Stages

Sangwan, Punesh; Kumar, Vinod; Khatri, R. S.; Joshi, U. N.

doi:https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/578627

Journal of Botany

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Research Article | Open Access

Volume 2013 | Article ID 578627 | https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/578627

Chromium (VI) Induced Biochemical Changes and Gum Content in Cluster Bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) at Different Developmental Stages

Punesh Sangwan,¹Vinod Kumar,²R. S. Khatri,³and U. N. Joshi¹

Academic Editor: Zed Rengel

Received31 Jul 2013

Revised04 Nov 2013

Accepted17 Nov 2013

Published22 Dec 2013

Abstract

Chromium (Cr) contamination by various industries and other activities is known to inhibit plants growth and development. The present study was conducted using pot experiments in a net house to determine the effect of Cr (VI) on biochemical parameters such as photosynthetic pigments, reducing sugars, and important minerals at different stages of growth in leaves, stem, and roots of clusterbean, a multipurpose fodder crop including a source of guar gum. Guar gum content was estimated in seeds at maturity. All biochemical contents showed a great variation with respect to increase in Cr concentration at different stages of growth. The levels of K, Fe, and Zn decreased, while Cr and Na content increased with increase in Cr concentration. Cr induced toxicity in clusterbean appears at 0.5 mg Cr (VI) Kg⁻¹ soil with maximum inhibitory effect at 2 mg Cr (VI) Kg⁻¹ soil, where impaired sugar supply resulted in decreased guar gum synthesis and altered micronutrient content. The study reveals the possible role of these biochemical parameters in decreasing plant growth and development under heavy metal stress.

1. Introduction

The molecular and physiological basis of crop plant interactions with the environment has attracted considerable interest in recent years. Being sessile organisms, plants are constantly exposed during their life cycle to adverse environmental conditions that negatively affect growth, development, or productivity. The presence of toxic heavy metals from various industrial activities causes damage to plants by altering major plant physiological and metabolic processes [1, 2]. These metals enter into the soil through different ways including use of fertilizers and pesticides [3].

Crop plants growing in high levels of chromium (Cr) showed a series of physiological disorders, such as reduction of chlorophyll content, sugars, and protein content and decreased photosynthesis leading to lower yield and plant death [4, 5]. Among variable forms of Cr, highly reactive Cr (VI) was found to be toxic to plants in high concentration remaining stable for several months in the soil without changing its oxidation state [6]. It was mainly released in the soil from leather tanning, textile, carpet, electroplating industries, mining industry, and metal cleaning [7, 8]. The interactions between Cr and other nutrients led to changes in nutrient content and physiological disorders with reduction of plant growth and yield. The uptake of several nutrients (potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe)) by plants is hindered by high Cr levels [9]. Cr is carcinogenic to humans and also causes cirrhosis and DNA damage [10]. Due to this toxicity to plants, human health, and environment, Cr toxicity has become an increasing target of studies.

Among the different models available to study metal toxicity, plants present some unique features that make them interesting subjects. Much of human diet depends directly on plant products like fruits and vegetables or indirectly as fodder given to livestock. Accumulation of heavy metals in the edible parts of plants represents a direct pathway for their incorporation into the human food chain [11]. Cluster-Bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L. “Taub”), a drought-hardy grain legume which belongs to the family Leguminosae, is an important kharif crop known as “Guar” is cultivated throughout India for its edible pod and as fodder crop. It also one of the most important commercial sources for seed gum “guar gum,” which contains up to 75–85% of galactomannan. It is the most cost-effective natural thickener and has several other industrial applications [12].

In India, Cr (VI) contamination is a major problem around various industries using Cr compounds, which causes considerable negative impact on crop production [13]. In Haryana (a major guar producing state), Sonepat, Panipat, Dharuhera, Gurgaon, Yamunanagar, Faridabad, and Shahabad are the main industrial areas, where poor plant growth of field crops has been observed [14]. Hence, the present investigation was designed and conducted to investigate the impact of Cr on biochemical composition and minerals content and uptake by Cluster-Bean from soil.

2. Material and Methods

2.1. Chemicals, Reagents, and Experimental Soil

The chemicals and reagents used during the present investigation were of analytical grade. A nutrient deficient loamy sand soil was used in the present study. The characteristics of soil were as follows: pH (1 : 2), 8.50; organic carbon, 0.22%; N, 4.0 mg kg⁻¹ soil; P, 13.0 mg kg⁻¹ soil; K, 163 mg kg⁻¹ soil; Zn²⁺, 0.61 mg kg⁻¹ soil; Fe²⁺, 0.9 mg kg⁻¹ soil; Cu²⁺, 0.18 mg kg⁻¹ soil; Mn²⁺, 3.6 mg kg⁻¹ soil; EC, 1.5; CaCO₃, 3.5%; Cr²⁺, 0.01 mg kg⁻¹ soil; texture-sandy loam.

2.2. Plant Growth Conditions and Exposure to Chromium

Seeds of Cluster-Bean cv. HG 2-20 were procured from Forage Section, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. The seeds were surface-sterilized with mercuric chloride and, after proper washing with distilled water, inoculated with Rhizobium culture. Crop (cv. HG 2-20) was raised in pots filled with 5 kg of sandy loam soil in a naturally lit net house of the Department of Biochemistry, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. The pots were lined with polythene bags and the soil in each pot was treated with different levels of Cr in the form of potassium dichromate, that is, 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 mg kg⁻¹ soil. Equal amount of nutrient solution was supplied at a weekly interval to each pot. The plants were irrigated with equal quantities of tap water as and when required. The ambient temperature was 11.0 to 35.6°C and humidity was 34.5 to 95.2%.

2.3. Determination of Chlorophylls, Sugars, and Minerals

Photosynthetic pigments, reducing sugar, and mineral contents were measured in different plant parts from each treatment at vegetative (30 days after sowing, i.e., 30 DAS), flowering (50 DAS), and grain filling stages (65 DAS). The photosynthetic pigments, that is, total chlorophyll, chlorophyll “a,” chlorophyll “b,” and carotenoids, in the first fully expanded leaf were extracted and estimated as per the method of Hiscox and Israelstam [15]. Washed and finely chopped leaves (excluding veins) weighing 100 mg were placed in a tube containing 5 mL DMSO. The chlorophyll was extracted into the DMSO without grinding by incubating at 65°C for 1 h. The extracted liquid was transferred to a 10 mL graduated cylinder and volume was made up to the mark with DMSO. The absorbance of the colour was measured at 450 nm for carotenoids and at 645 nm and 663 nm for total chlorophyll and chlorophyll “a” and chlorophyll “b” using DMSO as blank.

For sampling of plant material for reducing sugar and minerals, leaves, stem, and roots were separated, and after washing, air dried and then dried in a hot air oven maintained at 70°C, grounded in a Wiley macromill and stored in paper bags with proper labelling. For extraction of sugars, 100 mg of powdered samples was taken in a 100 mL flat bottom volumetric flask with 10 mL of 80% ethanol. The flask was kept in a water bath, maintained at 70°C for 1 h, and the filtrate was collected in a 25 mL volumetric flask. The extraction procedure was repeated five times. The final volume was made to 25 mL with 80% ethanol. Reducing sugars were determined following the method of Nelson [16].

For determination of Fe, Zn, and Cr content, the dried samples were digested in 4 : 1 HNO₃ : HClO₄ (v/v) and these elements were estimated by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (PERKIN-ELMER 2380). K and Na were estimated by the digital flame photometer (Model CL-22D) after calibrating with standard potassium and sodium solutions [17].

2.4. Guar Gum Analysis

Gum content in seeds was estimated by the method of Das et al. [18] and modified by Joshi [19]. Seed samples were ground by using a Cyclotec grinding mill (with 0.5 mm sieve). 100 mg ground sample was weighed and transferred to a conical flask with 40 mL of 0.01 M HgCl₂ and autoclaved at 15 psi for 1 h. The samples were cooled and volume was made to 100 mL with distilled water. 10 mL from this extract was taken and centrifuged at 5000 rpm for 15 min, 0.5 mL of supernatant was taken in another centrifuge tube, and 4.5 mL ethyl alcohol was added to make 90% alcohol. The solution was kept overnight and centrifuged at 5000 rpm to remove supernatant. The residue was dissolved in 0.01 M HgCl₂ (5 mL) by boiling in the water bath for 1 h. After cooling, volume was made to 5 mL. 1 mL of the extract was taken in a test tube and 2 mL of 2% phenol was added. Finally, 5 mL concentrated H₂SO₄ was added followed by shaking and cooling for 30 min. Standard and blank were run simultaneously and absorbance was measured at 490 nm. Standard curve was prepared using galactose : mannose in 1 : 2 ratio.

2.5. Statistical Analysis

All estimations were made in triplicate and given values are mean of three replicates. A two-factorial ANOVA in complete randomized block design was used to confirm the validity of the data using OPSTAT software available on CCSHAU website home page (http://hau.ernet.in/opstat.html). In each table, standard errors (SE) of mean and critical difference (CD) at 5% values for treatment (A), stages (B), and interaction between treatments and stages (A × B) are given.

3. Result and Discussion

Inspection of visible toxicity symptoms of Cr (VI) on Cluster-Bean revealed no visible symptoms on Cluster-Bean leaves grown in pots treated with 0.5 mg Cr (VI) kg⁻¹ soil. However, plants grown in higher concentration of Cr (VI) amended soils revealed poor and stunted growth as compared to that of control. At higher concentration, namely, 1, 2, and 4 mg Cr (VI) kg⁻¹ soil, the symptoms of toxicity in terms of poor and stunted growth started to appear after seven days of sowing. The plants did not survive after 20 DAS at 4.0 mg Cr (VI) kg⁻¹ soil. Therefore, proposed biochemical analysis at different growth stages was done in plant samples grown up to 2 mg Cr (VI) kg⁻¹ soil.

3.1. Biochemical Parameters

Chlorophyll “a” and “b” and “total chlorophyll” content in leaves of Cluster-Bean plants decreased with increase in chromium concentration from 0.0 to 2.0 mg Cr (VI) kg⁻¹ soil. Maximum reduction was observed at 2.0 mg Cr (VI) kg⁻¹ soil. Similarly, carotenoids contents (mg g⁻¹ fresh weight) also decreased in leaves of Cluster-Bean plants treated with Cr (VI). The decreasing trend was observed at all the stages of growth, that is, 30, 50, and 65 DAS (Table 1). Total chlorophyll content decreased by 35.9, 43.7, and 41.3%, chlorophyll “a” decreased by 40.2, 41.4 and 43.6%, chlorophyll “b” decreased by 63.0, 51.3, and 50.0%, and carotenoids content decreased by 32.1, 41.4, and 40.5% in leaves of 2.0 mg Cr (VI) kg⁻¹ soil treated plants over the control at 30, 50, and 65 DAS, respectively. The concentration of total chlorophyll, chlorophyll “a,” and chlorophyll “b” reached maximum level at 50 DAS and then declined at later stages of plant growth. A similar concentration dependent reduction in chlorophyll content over control was also observed in the leaves of Lycopersicon esculentum [20], Eichhornia crassipes [21], and Brassica juncea [22, 23]. This was attributed to the Cr toxicity degradation of aminolevulinic acid dehydratase, which reduces the availability of prophobilinogen required for chlorophyll biosynthesis, thereby affecting the amino levulinic acid (ALA) utilization. This causes ALA buildup and finally reduces the chlorophyll level [24]. Besides these effects, Cr can alter chloroplast and membrane ultrastructure in plants [25]. It can also cause ultrastructural changes in chloroplast leading to inhibition of photosynthesis [23]. Cr also reduced carotenoid content in Cluster-Bean which served as accessory pigments for photosynthesis and also protect the plants from photooxidation. Similar results were also observed in O. tenuiflorum, lettuce, and soybean [26, 27]. The amount of carotenoids dropped continuously after attaining maximum value at 50 DAS (Table 1).

Sugars are considered as important metabolites in plant metabolism not only because these are the first complex organic compounds formed in the plant as a result of photosynthesis but also because they provide a major source of respiratory energy [28]. During, present study, altered level of reducing sugars was observed in Cr treated plants. Reducing sugars registered an increasing trend in all plant parts in response to Cr (VI) exposure to Cluster-Bean plant (Table 2). Compared to control, reducing sugars content after exposure to 2.0 mg Cr (VI) kg⁻¹ soil increased by 227% in leaves, whereas in stem and roots it increased by 175.9 and 190.6% at 50 DAS, respectively. The amount of reducing sugars increased with increasing age of plants up to 50 DAS thereafter decreased at 65 DAS and in each treatment (Table 2). Tiwari et al. [29] also observed increase in the amount of reducing sugar in pea plants with exposure to increasing Cr concentrations. Altered sugars content may be due to Cr induced alternation of carbohydrate metabolism as a result of its possible interaction with the reactive centre of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase [29, 30]. Najafian et al. [31] observed that increased Cr caused a change in structure of cell membrane and inhibited growth of plant. Therefore, increase in reducing sugar showed the adaptation of plant to maintain osmotic condition and defence of biomolecules and membranes. Moreover, the plant can maintain osmotic potential and carbohydrate supplement in this situation [32].

In the present study, yellowing and burning of leaves were observed as a sign of nutrient depletion. The content of nutritionally important minerals, like Na, K, Fe, and Zn, was also determined in different plant parts of Cluster-Bean under Cr stress at these three developmental stages. Cr content (μg g⁻¹ dry weight) in plant tissues (leaves, stem, and root) significantly increased with increasing concentration of Cr treatment from 0.0 to 2.0 mg Cr (VI) kg⁻¹ soil. At 50 DAS, Cr content increased from 0 to 2.41 in leaves, 0 to 3.26 in stem, and 0 to 8.47 in root of plants grown in soil containing 0.0 to 2.0 mg Cr (VI) kg⁻¹ soil, respectively. Increase in Cr content was more in roots followed by stem and leaves. With advancement of age, Cr content also increased in leaves, stem and roots of Cr (VI) treated plants with maximum value at 65 DAS (Table 3). The highest chromium content was observed in roots followed by that is stem and leaves in all treatments. Such a high metal concentration in the root tissues may be due to immobilization of metal by cell wall and extracellular carbohydrates, which may be an important defence strategy adopted by plants. This might also be attributed to Cr compartmentalization in the root vacuoles, as a defence mechanism against its toxicity and a potential tolerance mechanism operating in plants under metal stress, or its retention in the cation exchange sites of the vessel walls of xylem parenchyma cells in roots [4, 24, 33, 34]. Probable reduction of Cr (VI) to Cr (III), which reduces its mobility from roots to stem, might also be a reason of comparatively lower accumulation of Cr in leaves than the roots [26]. With increase in the age of the plant, however, the ability to transfer the metal to aerial parts increased, leading to a higher Cr accumulation in the aboveground plant parts, especially in the stem [24].

Results presented in Table 4 revealed that increasing concentration of Cr (VI) registered an increase in Na content in leaves, stem, and root of Cluster-Bean. At 50 DAS, it increased by 69.21, 83.73, and 55.3% with 2.0 mg Cr (VI) kg⁻¹ soil over the control in leaves, stem, and root, respectively. The increase in Na content was much more pronounced at 2.0 mg Cr (VI) kg⁻¹ soil. The advancement in growth resulted in an increase in Na content in these parts and maximum content was observed at 50 DAS (Table 4).

Data shown in Table 5 indicates that Cr (VI) addition to soil leads to decreased K content in leaves, stem, and root as compared to that in the control plants, where no Cr (VI) was added to soil. Increasing concentrations of Cr also caused marked decrease in K contents in Brassica [22]. As compared to the control, the decline in K content at 50 DAS was 24.8% in leaves, 19.13% in stem, and 35.7% in root, with 2.0 mg Cr (VI) kg⁻¹ soil, respectively. Maximum decrease in K content at 2.0 mg Cr (VI) kg⁻¹ soil was recorded in leaves followed by that in stem and root. With the advancement of plant age, the K content increased up to 50 DAS and then decreased at 65 DAS.

Fe is required for the functioning of a range of enzymes, especially those involved in oxidation and reduction processes, for synthesis of the porphyrin ring (chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis), reduction of nitrite and sulphate, and N₂-fixation (as part of leghemoglobin) [35]. Fe content in leaves decreased with progressive increase in Cr (VI) concentration, that is, from 0.0 to 2.0 mg Cr (VI) kg⁻¹ soil. The visible toxic symptoms of Cr (VI) were superficially somewhat similar to those of Fe deficiency and are in support of the aforementioned data. The concentration of Fe was higher in root of Cluster-Bean plant than in leaves and stem (Table 6). The Fe content of leaves, stem, and root increased gradually up to 50 DAS and then decreased till the last sampling (i.e., 65 DAS). It decreased by 79.0% in leaves, 78% in stem, and 64.1% in root over the control at 50 DAS with 2.0 mg Cr (VI) kg⁻¹ soil, respectively. These toxic effects of Cr are suggested because of restricted Fe uptake and accumulation in Cluster-Bean plants associated with Cr contaminated site, which is related in part to the ability of Cr to displace other metals (particularly Fe) from physiologically important centres, producing Fe deficiency [36]. Lower Fe concentration might also be due to competition between Cr and Fe for transport binding or higher Fe efflux from the plants. Cr might influence uptake of Fe by inhibiting Fe reductase activity and inhibit photosynthesis [37, 38].

Zn content in leaves also revealed a decreasing trend with increase in chromium concentration from 0.0 to 2.0 mg Cr (VI) kg⁻¹ soil. It might be possibly due to excess Cr affected translocation of Zn in leaves, stem, and root of the Cluster-Bean plants or role of Zn in oxidative stress control [39]. Maximum decrease in Zn content was observed in plants treated with 2.0 mg Cr (VI) kg⁻¹ soil at all stages of growth (Table 7). Compared to control, it decreased by 1.87 and 1.76-fold at 50 and 65 DAS, respectively, with 2.0 mg Cr (VI) kg⁻¹ soil. In stem, also, it followed a similar trend as that observed in leaves, that is, zinc content decreased from 18.86 to 10.34, 43.23 to 28.64, and 38.87 to 25.66 μg g⁻¹ dry weights at 30, 50, and 65 DAS, respectively. In leaves, stem, and root, Zn content decreased by 46.5, 33.7, and 43.1% over the control at 50 DAS with 2.0 mg Cr (VI) kg⁻¹ soil, respectively. It increased significantly with progress of growth and had maximum value at 50 DAS followed by decrease at 65 DAS in leaves, stem, and root (Table 7).

The levels of macronutrient contents like K, Fe, and Zn decreased while Na content increased with increase in Cr concentration. It is suggested that the uptake and the translocation of mineral nutrients are affected differently by Cr. Cr interferes with entrance of some cations like K, Ca, Mg, Fe, and Zn into roots and affected inorganic feeding of plant due to similar structure with these inorganic elements including P and N [40]. It acutely reduced their movement and absorbance. Ali et al. [41] also reported that Cr stress decreased K, Fe and Zn concentration and accumulation in barley plants. Reduced uptake of these elements may be due to breakdown of membrane function and inhibition of H⁺-ATPase, which hampers nutrient and water uptake [31] and plays an important role in the transport of multiple ions through plasma membrane [42]. It has been reported that inhibition in activity of H⁺-ATPase membrane pump by Cr might be due to changes in structure and destruction of membrane by free radicals formation.

3.2. Guar Gum Content

Guar gum is a neutral polysaccharide consisting of beta-D-mannose backbone with side chains of alpha () linked galactose residues obtained from endosperm of guar seeds [43]. Its synthesis depends upon availability of mannose and galactose units. The present study showed that Cr toxicity has negative effect on guar gum in seeds. Gum content in seeds at 65 DAS decreased with increasing Cr levels from 0.0 to 2.0 mg Cr (VI) kg⁻¹ soil. Maximum decrease was noticed in seeds of 2.0 mg Cr (VI) kg⁻¹ soil treated plants. Gum content in seeds at maturity (90 DAS) decreased by 10.3, 26.5, and 40.7% over the control with 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg Cr (VI) kg⁻¹ soil treated plants (Figure 1).

This decrease in gum content might be partly due to Cr interfering in nitrogen metabolism [14], chlorophyll content, and uptake of minerals [41]. The reduced availability of sugar molecules (galactose, mannose) thereby resulted in decrease in gum content at higher concentration of Cr. Further, synthesis of galactomannan gum is an energy (ATP) consuming process [44], and thus reduced availability of ATP under Cr toxicity [45] hampers this process and results in decrease in sugar and gum content.

4. Conclusion

In conclusion, results demonstrate that all the endpoints applied were severely affected by Cr. The present study revealed that Cr content, reducing sugar, and sodium contents were increased under the influence while other parameters decreased under similar conditions and growth stages. Decreased photosynthesis and Cr accumulation in plant parts are considered to be the most effective in altering other biochemical parameters under Cr toxicity in soil. The decreased content of minerals and guar gum may also be regarded as decreased nutritional as well as economical values of produce. These are very important aspects for Cluster-Bean based on its applicability as a fodder crop and source of commercially important guar gum. Therefore, studies are required to develop a suitable strategy for amelioration of this Cr phytotoxicity in order to maintain the content of commercially important compounds and improvement of plant growth and development.

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the Director Research and Head, Department of Biochemistry, for providing the necessary infrastructural facility. The lead author is grateful to the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR), for providing financial assistance in the form of ICAR-SRF.

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Copyright © 2013 Punesh Sangwan et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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