Lead-induced modification of growth and yield of Linum usitatissimum L. and its soil remediation potential

Abstract

This study was designed to evaluate the pre-reproductive and reproductive responses of Linum usitatissimum L. (flax, linseed plant) to different levels of Pb in the soil. Flax seeds were sown in garden soil-filled earthen pots and treated with three different levels of lead as lead chloride (150, 450, and 750 mg Pb kg⁻¹ soil) except control, and each treatment was replicated three times. Growth and reproductive parameters and photosynthetic pigments were significantly reduced (p ≤ 0.05) for all treatments. Quantitatively, Chlorophyll b content decreased more than chlorophyll a and the amount of proline content in the leaves increased in lockstep with the increase of Pb levels in the soil. Pb was found in substantial amounts in the roots, shoots, and seeds. The pattern of Pb accumulation in different organs was root > shoot > seeds. Pb levels in seeds obtained from 750 mg Pb kg⁻¹ soil-treated plants exceeded the permissible limits. Biological concentration factor (BCF), biological accumulation coefficient (BAC) and translocation factor (TF) values showed that roots of L. usitatissimum absorbed and accumulated a substantial quantity of Pb but translocated only a fraction of that to the shoots. Therefore, L. usitatissimum L. can be used in phytostabilization rather than phytoextraction of Pb.

Graphical Abstract

Novelty statement

This manuscript evaluates the potential of flaxseeds to cause biomagnification of lead (Pb) in the human body when grown under different concentrations of Pb and assessment of the risk posed to consumer health in a food chain. This study also provides insight to evaluate the uptake and extraction efficiency of Linum usitatissimum L. to remediate the Pb-polluted soil and use of Pb contaminated plant products (stem fibers and linseed oil) in an ecofriendly manner.

Keywords:

• Biological accumulation coefficient (BAC)
• biological concentration factor (BCF)
• chlorophyll
• lead (Pb)
• Linum usitatissimum L.
• proline
• translocation factor (TF)

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the Chairperson, Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University (A.M.U.), Aligarh for providing research experiment facilities and technical support for sample analysis.

Authors’ contributions

Adnan Khan: Conceptualization, methodology, writing, original data preparation; Athar Ali Khan: Supervision and reviewing. Mohd Irfan: Statistical analysis and data analysis; Mohd Sayeed Akhtar: Editing and drafting of manuscript. Syed Aiman Hasan: Graphs and graphical abstract preparation.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

The authors are grateful to the University Grant Commission (UGC), New Delhi, for funding this research.