Int. J. Biosci.

2016

International Journal of Biosciences | IJB |

ISSN: 2220-6655 (Print), 2222-5234 (Online)
http://www.innspub.net
Vol. 8, No. 1, p. 1-7, 2016

RESEARCH PAPER OPEN ACCESS

Pteris vittata inter-planting for trapping of arsenic

accumulation into potato

U. Mayda1, Rasheda Yasmin Shilpi1, T. Taufique2, H. Mehraj3, A.F.M. Jamal Uddin2*

1
Dept. of Botany, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh
2
Dept. of Horticulture, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
3
The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Ehime University, Tarami, Matsumaya,
Ehime, Japan

Key words: Solanum tuberosum, Pteris vittata, Inter-plant, Arsenic entry.

http://dx.doi.org/10.12692/ijb/8.1.1-7 Article published on January 20, 2016

Abstract
An experiment was conducted to trap arsenic accumulation into potato plant by Pteris vittata inter-planting.
Experiment consisted three different density of the trap plants viz. P0: No P. vittata (control); P4: four P. vittata
plant per m2 and P8: eight P. vittata plant per m2. Inter-planting of four P. vittata per m2 reduced 95.94 % and
eight P. vittata per m2 reduced 97.01% arsenic accumulation into potato over control. Maximum yield was found
from P4 (359.00 g/plant) which was statistically similar with P3 (343.80 g/plant) while minimum was found
from P0 (316.50 g/plant). Highest amount of arsenic accumulation was found from P 1 (No P. vittata
interplanting) in potato tuber flesh (0.20 ppm), tuber peel (5.46 ppm) and plant body (43.74 ppm). P. vittata
inter-planting (both P4 and P8) showed least arsenic accumulation in potato tuber flesh (0.01 and 0.02 ppm in P4
and P8 respectively), tuber peel (0.44 and 0.41 ppm in P4 and P8 respectively) and plant body (1.52 and 1.40 ppm
in P4 and P8 respectively) over control. So it can be suggested that inter-planting of P. vittata can trap arsenic
from soil to enter into food crops. Based on the findings of the current study it can be suggested to inter-plant
four P. vittata per m2 area.
* Corresponding Author: A.F.M. Jamal Uddin  [email protected]

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Introduction exceeding the food hygiene concentration limit of 1.0

Arsenic is a toxic metalloid in environment, a serious mg kg-1 (Abedin et al., 2002) included kachu sak
threat and cure to human race because of its (Colocasia antiquorum) (0.09-3.99 mg kg-1), potatoes
capability of causing terrible health hazards to human (Solanum tuberosum) (0.07-1.36 mg kg-1) and kalmi
being (Chaudhuri, 2004; Rahaman et al., 2001). sak (Ipomoea reptoms) (0.1-1.53 mg kg-1). Arsenic
Arsenic-contaminated soils, sediments and sludge are concentrations in agricultural plants varied from
the major sources of arsenic contamination in food 0.007 to 7.50 mg kg-1 (Bhattacharya et al., 2010;
chain (Frankenberger and Arshad, 2002). Arsenic Dahal et al., 2008; Liao et al., 2005).
contaminated soil caused more arsenic accumulation
into food crops than the tolerance level. Phytotoxicity Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the major
of arsenic is expected to negatively affect plant growth vegetable in Bangladesh which ranks second after rice
(Kabata-Pendias and Pendias, 1991) and ultimately in production (FAOSTAT, 2011). Leafy plants
yield. accumulated arsenic by atmospheric deposition,
whereas, tuberous plant such as potatoes and carrots
Hyperaccumulators are plants that can take up and accumulated arsenic by both root uptake and
concentrate more than 0.1% of a given element in atmospheric deposition (Larsen et al., 1992). Many
their tissue (Brooks, 1998). The first arsenic researches in Bangladesh had been conducted for
hyperaccumulator was Pteris vittata L. (Ma et al., arsenic accumulation in potato (Haque et al., 2015;
2001) followed by Pityrogramma calomelanos L. Hussain et al., 2014) and potato accumulated 0.013-
(Francesconi et al., 2002) and many other species of 0.390 mg kg-1arsenic in plant (Farid et al., 2003).
the Pteris genus like P. cretica L., P. longifolia L., P. Potato contaminated by this heavy toxic metal that is
umbrosa L. and P. argyraea L. (Zhao et al., 2003) ultimately harmful to human health. So it is
and P. quadriaurita L., P. ryiunkensis L. and P. important to reduce or stop the arsenic accumulation
biaurita (Srivastava et al., 2006). Pteris vittata is a into this vegetable crop. Inter-planting of P. vittata
fast-growing fern and having potentiality to produce with rice plant reduces arsenic entrance into rice
relatively high biomass. P. vittata can survive highly plant from soil (Mayda et al., 2015). So it may be
arsenic contaminated soil (4000 ppm) and possible to reduce arsenic accumulation into the
accumulate up to 27829.7 ppm arsenic (Mayda et al., potato plant by phytoremediation process using P.
2014) and accumulate 23837.2 ppm arsenic from vittata interplanting into potato field. Concerning
2000 ppm arsenic contaminated soil (Jamal Uddin et these, a study was conducted to lower the arsenic
al., 2015) into the plant body. Besides Pteris vittata is accumulation into potato using P. vittata as trap.
available in Bangladesh. Contribution of food-chain
towards arsenic pollution in human is many folds Materials and methods
greater than that of drinking water (Roychowdhury et Location and duration of the experiment
al., 2003; Diaz et al., 2004). Arsenic accumulation by An experiment was conducted at Department of
plants and its translocation to the edible or Horticulture of the Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural
commercial parts were observed to vary with crops University, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh and at the
and even among the cultivars of the same crop Department of Botany of the Jahangirnagar
(Kundu et al., 2010; Kundu and Pal, 2009). In case of University, Savar, Dhaka-1342, Bangladesh from
vegetables, highest As accumulation was observed in October 2013 to April 2014.
potato, arum, amaranth, radish, lady’s finger,
cauliflower, brinjal where as lower level of As Arsenic contaminated soil
accumulation was observed in beans, green chilli, Arsenic was applied in form of Arsenic trioxide
tomato, bitter guard, lemon, turmeric etc. (Santra et (As2O3) @ 50 ppm at 7 days before planting of potato
al., 2013). As contents of vegetables varied; those which was considered as arsenic contaminated soil.

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Treatments and design into yellow color. Another volumetric flask made
P. vittata was inter-planted with rice into pot as trap blank solution, where contain only HCl, KI and
to mitigate arsenic accumulation into potato plant. distilled water for arsenic analysis.
Experiment consisted three different density of the
trap plants viz. P0: No P. vittata (Control); P4: four P. 1000 time dilution
vittata plant per m2 and P8: eight P. vittata plant per 2 ml solution was taken into 500 volumetric flasks,
m2 following completely randomized design with mixed with distilled water up to 500 ml and shaken
three replication. Trap plants were planted at the time very carefully. Then, 05 ml solution was taken into
of planting of rice plants. 250 ml volumetric flask and mixed with distilled
water up to 250 ml. Again, 05 ml solution from 250
Pot size ml solution was taken into 25 ml volumetric flask
The pot size was 1.5 m in length, 0.5 m in width and then 2.5 ml HCl and 2.5 ml KI was added and mixed
0.5 m in depth. distilled water, shaking was done very smoothly until
turn it into yellow color. Standard solution arsenic
Data collection was added with HCl 2, 5, 10, 15, 20 ppb respectively.
Data were collected on plant height, leaves number,
leaf area, number of stems per plant, stem diameter, 5000 time dilution
number of tubers, average weight of individual tuber, Similar to the 1000 time dilution. But 04 ml solution
yield, arsenic accumulation by tuber flesh and peel, was taken in case of 2 ml. 05 ml HCl and KI was
arsenic accumulation by plant body, arsenic added into 5000 ml volumetric flask, solution was
accumulation by Pteris vittata and protection of made into 25 ml and 05 ml was taken in flask.
arsenic accumulation into potato by P. vittata over
control. Statistical analysis
Data were statistically analyzed using MSTAT-C
Chemical analysis for arsenic computer programme. Difference between treatments
Plant biomass was measured by using precision was assessed by Least Significance Difference (LSD)
balance after drying. After growing, plants were test at 5% level of significance (Gomez and Gomez,
collected and dried. After drying, samples were 1984).
smashed by mortar and pastel machine. The arsenic
analysis for was performed by using “Atomic Result and discussion
Absorption Spectrometer”, where use of argon for Plant height and leaves number
carrier gas and arsenic was melted by 925ºC; was Tallest plant was found from P4 (35.7 cm) and
approved by ISO organization in Bangladesh Council shortest from P0 (33.1 cm) at 90 DAP (Figure 1a).
of Scientific Research Institute (BCSIR), Dhaka, Maximum leaves number was found in P4 (46.96) and
Bangladesh. minimum from P0 (44.92) at 90 DAT (Figure 1b).
Arsenic is toxic to most plants at higher concentration
50 times dilution (Marin et al., 1993) and inter-planting of P. vittata
5 ml conc. HCl was taken at 50 ml volumetric flasks caused better plant growth by reducing soil arsenic
for transferring arsenic into arsenic trioxide and a toxicity for rice (Mayda et al., 2015). It interfered
little bit of distilled water was added. Then 1ml with metabolic processes and inhibited plant growth
solution was taken very carefully from each and development through arsenic induced
volumetric flask to avoid bubble and KI (01 gm) wash phytotoxicity.
added in solution with 150 ml distilled water. After
that 0.5 gm sample was taken in volumetric flask and Leaf area
mixed distilled water up to 50 ml and solution turned Leaf area of potato was significantly affected by

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density of P. vittata inter-planting. The maximum Mayda et al., 2014; Mandal et al., 2012) and for this
leaf area was found from P4 (1.16 cm2) whereas lowest reason P. vittata inter-planting may resulted better
leaf area was found from P0 (1.10 cm2) (Table 1). stem diameter over control.
Decreased in leaf area was found in control than that
of the other treatments. It notified that inter-planting Number of tubers, average weight of individual
of P. vittata reduced arsenic toxicity for potato plants. tuber and yield
Arsenic reduced the leaf area index of potato (Juzl Number of tillers per plant was significantly affected
and Stefl, 2002). P. vittata is an arsenic-hyper by density of P. vittata inter-planting. Maximum
accumulating fern and can be used in arsenic number of tubers was recorded from P4 (16.24/hill)
remediation from arsenic-contaminated soils (Jamal and minimum number of tubers was recorded from
Uddin et al., 2015; Mayda et al., 2014). P0 (14.21/hill) (Table 1). Average weight of individual
tuber was also significantly affected by density of P.
Number of stems and stem diameter vittata inter-planting. Maximum weight of individual
Number of stems was significantly affected by density tuber was recorded from P0 (22.27 g) and minimum
of P. vittata inter-planting. Maximum number of from P4 and P8 (22.11 g and 22.10 g respectively)
stems was found in P4 (3.61/hill) whereas minimum (Table 1). This study indicate that P. vittata affect the
from P0 (3.51/hill) (Table 1). Excess arsenic in soil average weight of individual tuber. Pteris vittata
inhibited plant growth (Carbonell et al., 1995) and uptake arsenic and render arsenic enter into food
from present study it was found that P. vittata inter- parts. When plants were exposed to excess arsenic
planting was not inhibited the potato growth either in soil or in solution culture, they exhibited
compared to control. Stem diameter was significantly toxicity symptoms (Johan et al., 2003) but result
affected by density of P. vittata inter-planting. from the current study suggested that Pteris vittata
Maximum stem diameter (0.43 cm) was recorded inter-planting may responsible for reducing arsenic
from P4 and minimum stem diameter (0.38) was toxicity. Yield of potato was significantly affected by
recorded from P0 (Table 1). It is possible to remove density of P. vittata inter-planting. Highest yield was
arsenic by Chinese Brake Fern (P. vittata) from an found from P4 (359.00 g/plant) and lowest yield was
arsenic contaminated soil (Jamal Uddin et al., 2015; found from P0 (316.50 g/plant) (Table 1).

Table 1. Potato responses to Pteris vittata density at different attributes.

Treatments Leaf area (cm2) Number of Stem diameter Number of Avg. weight of Yield/plant (g)
stems/hill (cm) tubers/hill individual tuber (g)
P0 1.10 c 3.51 c 0.38 c 14.21 c 22.27 a 316.50 c
P4 1.16 a 3.61 a 0.43 a 16.24 a 22.11 b 359.00 a
P8 1.12 b 3.55 b 0.41 b 15.55 b 22.10 b 343.80 b
LSD0.05 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.48 0.12 9.46
CV% 0.59 0.37 1.41 1.36 0.25 1.23
P0 = Control (without Pteris vittata), P4 = 4 Pteris vittata per square meter, P8 = 8 Pteris vittata per square meter
In a column means having similar letter (s) are statistically identical and those having dissimilar letter (s) differ
significantly as per 0.05 level of probability..

Arsenic accumulation amaranth, radish, lady’s finger, cauliflower, brinjal

Arsenic accumulation by potato tuber flesh and peel where as lower level of As accumulation was observed
was significantly affected by density of P. vittata in beans, green chilli, tomato, bitter guard, lemon,
inter-planting. Highest arsenic accumulation by tuber turmeric etc. due to the As-contaminated irrigation
flesh was found from P0 (0.20 ppm) and lowest from water (Santra et al., 2013). Highest arsenic
P4 (0.01 ppm) (Table 2). Maximum arsenic accumulation in tuber peel was found from P0 (5.46
accumulation was observed in potato, arum, ppm) and lowest from P4 and P8 (0.44 ppm and 0.41

4 Mayda et al.
 Int. J. Biosci. 2016

ppm respectively) whereas P4 and P8 were found to be arsenic removal. Arsenic accumulation by plant body
statistically identical (Table 2). The present was significantly affected by density of P. vittata
experiment indicates that P. vittata helpful to potato inter-planting. Highest accumulation was found from
tuber uptake low amount of arsenic. P. vittata is P0 (43.74 ppm) and lowest from P4 and P8 (1.52 ppm
capable of accumulating arsenic from contaminated and 1.40 ppm respectively) while P4 and P8 were
sites, and a single harvest per year yields the greatest statistically identical (Table 2).

Table 2. Arsenic accumulation in tuber flesh, tuber peel, plant body, Pteris vittata and protection percentage
into potato as affected by different density.
Treatments Arsenic accumulation (ppm) Protection of arsenic accumulation into
Tuber flesh Tuber peel Plant body P. Vittata potato (%)
P0 0.20 a 5.46 a 43.74 a
P4 0.01 c 0.44 b 1.52 b 47.40 95.94
P8 0.02 b 0.41 b 1.40 b 47.93 97.01
LSD0.05 0.002 0.42 0.41
CV% 7.53 8.75 1.15
X P0 = Control (without Pteris vittata), P4 = 4 Pteris vittata per square meter, P8 = 8 Pteris vittata per square
meter.
YIn a column means having similar letter (s) are statistically identical and those having dissimilar letter (s) differ
significantly as per 0.05 level of probability.

As contents of vegetables varied; those exceeding the accumulate high amount of arsenic P8 (47.93 ppm)
food hygiene concentration limit of 1.0 mg kg-1 and P4 (47.40 ppm) (Table 2) which was found to
(Abedin et al., 2002) included kachu sak (Colocasia reduce 97.01% and 95.94% arsenic accumulation into
antiquorum) (0.09-3.99 mg kg-1), potatoes (Solanum potato. Similarly reduction of arsenic accumulation
tuberosum) (0.07-1.36 mg kg-1) and kalmi sak by P. vittata inter-planting was also found in rice
(Ipomoea reptoms) (0.1-1.53 mg kg-1). Pteris vittata (Mayda et al., 2015).

Fig. 1. Effect of Pteris vittata density on (a) plant height and (b) number of leaves of potato at different days after
planting (DAP).
Here, P0 = Without Pteris vittata, P4 = Four Pteris vittata/m2, P8 = Eight Pteris vittata/m2.

Hyperaccumulators are plants that can take up and Pteris vittata (Chinese brake fern), was discovered
concentrate greater than 0.1% of a given element in (Ma et al., 2001). This arsenic hyperaccumulator may
their tissue. Recently, an arsenic hyperaccumulator, offer an alternative to more traditional remediation

5 Mayda et al.
 Int. J. Biosci. 2016

technologies for arsenic contaminated soils. rural village of Northern Chile. Journal of
Agricultural and Food Chemistry 52, 1773-1779.
Conclusion http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jf035168t
Inter-planting of P. vittata with potato dramatically
reduced arsenic accumulation into the potato flesh, FAOSTAT. 2011. Statistical Database. Food and
peel and plant body while P. vittata accumulated Agricultural Organization of United Nations, Rome,
most of the arsenic from soil. Current study Italy.
confirmed that it is possible to trap arsenic
accumulation into potato by inter-planting of P. Farid ATM, Roy KC, Hossain KM, Sen R. 2003.
vittata. However, more experiment should be Effect of arsenic contaminated irrigation water on
conducted to clarify this finding. vegetables. Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 28(4), 457-464.

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