Field trial of transgenic Indian mustard plants shows enhanced phytoremediation of selenium-contaminated sediment.
Three transgenic Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.] lines were tested under field conditions for their ability to remove selenium (Se) from Se- and boron-contaminated saline sediment. The transgenic lines overexpressed genes encoding the enzymes adenosine triphosphate sulfurylase (APS), gamma-glutamyl-cysteine synthetase (ECS), and glutathione synthetase (GS), respectively. The APS, ECS, and GS transgenic plants accumulated 4.3, 2.8, and 2.3-fold more Se in their leaves than wild type, respectively (P < 0.05). GS plants significantly tolerated the contaminated soil better than wild type, attaining an aboveground biomass/area almost 80% of that of GS plants grown on clean soil, compared to 50% for wild type plants. This is the first report showing that plants genetically engineered for phytoremediation can perform successfully under field conditions.
Bañuelos
Gary
G
ARS-USDA, Parlier, California 93648, USA. nterry@nature.berkeley.edu
Terry
Norman
N
Leduc
Danika L
DL
Pilon-Smits
Elizabeth A H
EA
Mackey
Bruce
B
D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D018533:Biomass; D009149:Mustard Plant / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D012643:Selenium / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
D012989:Soil Pollutants; D012643:Selenium