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International Conference on

Recent Trends in Environmental Sustainability

ESCON22/ETERM/48
The response of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) under stress of hexavalent chromium

Sana Akram1, M. Saqib1, T. Naz1, M.S.B.Zafar1, L. Tayyiaba1
1Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad-38000,
Pakistan

Correspondence: ibnezafar28@gmail.com
Abstracts

Heavy metals have become a serious problem in Pakistan’s soils due to anthropogenic
activities. The most toxic hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) is found in food chains and causes
serious health issues, and it is also known as carcinogens. It is mainly discharged from the
textile and leather industries. Moreover, plants are also affected by chromium, and soil health
is distorted by heavy metals. Therefore, its toxicity can cause plant growth retardation that
results in yield and economic losses. Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) is a highly nutritious crop
and contains an excess amount of protein. The protein range is between 7 to 23 %. It is
considered good to face the problem of food insecurity. An experiment was performed to
evaluate performance of quinoa plants under Cr(VI) stress. Quinoa is halophyte and drought
tolerant but there is a lack of information about heavy metal resistance. The main objective of
this study was to evaluate heavy metal Cr(VI) absorption and taken up by quinoa plants.
Additionally, the survival rate and plant response under chromium toxicity was evaluated.
There were four treatments i.e. control, 2.5, 5, and 10 ppm. The salt of Potassium dichromate
(K2Cr2O7) was used for hexavalent chromium. For each treatment, there were three
replications. The CRD design was used for statistical analysis. The experimental observations
and different physical and chemical parameters were recorded. Standardized techniques were
used to investigate the response of the plant under different levels of Cr contamination. The
growth parameters, physical responses and metal uptake levels are compared with control and
also compared the varieties. It is observed that variety V1 performed better as compared to
variety V2 at 10 ppm of chromium contamination.

Keywords: Chenopodium quinoa, hexavalent chromium, heavy metals, Contamination

Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari Campus

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