Field trial of transgenic Indian mustard plants shows enhanced phytoremediation of selenium-contaminated sediment

Environ Sci Technol. 2005 Mar 15;39(6):1771-7. doi: 10.1021/es049035f.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Biodegradation, Environmental
  • Biomass
  • Mustard Plant / genetics*
  • Mustard Plant / physiology
  • Plants, Genetically Modified*
  • Selenium / isolation & purification*
  • Selenium / pharmacokinetics
  • Soil Pollutants / isolation & purification*
  • Soil Pollutants / pharmacokinetics

Substances

  • Soil Pollutants
  • Selenium