Identification of the Phytoremediation Potential of Indian mustard Genotypes for Copper, Evaluated from a Hydroponic Experiment

The effectiveness of 10 Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) genotypes (viz. Agrani, BTO, Kranti, Pusa Bahar, Pusa Basant, Pusa Bold, Pusa Jai Kisan, Vaibhav, Vardhan, and Varuna) were evaluated for their potential to phytoremediate copper from contaminated waters under laboratory controlled conditions. The genotypes were grown for 20 days in aqueous solutions containing various concentrations of copper sulfate (0-50 mu M) in a hydroponic chamber. Throughout plant development, changes in growth variables, biomass accumulation, and total Cu content were evaluated. The results suggested that Indian mustard cv. Pusa Jai Kisan possesses the best capacities of Cu sequestration and tolerance amongst all the genotypes studied. Thus, Pusa Jai Kisan has the greatest potential to become a viable candidate in the development of practical phytoremediation technologies for Cu contaminated sites.