Antioxidant Response to Chromium Stress in Brassica Juncea: Chromium Accumulation in Indian Mustard

The goal of this study was to access the potential of Brassica juncea as hyperaccumulator. Cr is toxic to plants and is a non essential element. The degree of toxicity differs according to the oxidation state of Cr with Cr(VI) being more toxic than Cr(III),7 making it one of few elements that exhibits different physiological and toxicological effects depending on its oxidation state. Chromium-induced modulation in the enzymes and metabolites of antioxidants was investigated at various phenological stages of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. and Coss. cv Pusa Jai Kisan)], grown with various levels of chromium (Cr) in pots under natural environmental conditions. Chromium accumulation in the root, stem and leaves increased with the advancement in the age of the plants. For this study, an edible crop was chosen intentionally so as to tap maximum benefit by remediating the contaminated site on one hand and getting uncontaminated seeds to raise the next generation, on the other.