Variations in chromium tolerance and accumulation among canola (Brassica napus L.) cultivars

Phytoremediation is a green technology for the remediation of contaminated ecosystems by using plants. In the present study, a hydroponic experiment was conducted to investigate the phytoremediation potential of eight canola (Brassica napus L.) cultivars for hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)]. Chromium significantly affected dry weight, lipid peroxidation, chlorophylls, non-protein thiol and antioxidant enzymes. Based on the dry weight, the tolerance index was found maximum in cultivar (cv.) NK Petrol and minimum in cv. Sary. The cv. Sary accumulated the maximum amount of Cr (705.8 μg g(-1) DW), which was correlated with the lowest levels of chlorophyll content and highest levels of lipid peroxidation. However, Cr accumulation was lowest (255.0 μg g(-1) DW) in NK Petrol. Although cv. NK Petrol may be a Cr(VI) excluder relative to cv. Sary, it may have the potential for the phytoremediation of Cr-contaminated sites as it possesses higher resistance to Cr(VI) by producing higher biomasses.