CONICET | Buscador de Institutos y Recursos Humanos

Arsenic (As) and Fluoride (F) are present in many soils, affecting crops and posing risks in the food chain. We performed a pot experiments on spiked soils enriched in these elements either individually or simultaneously, over a wide range of concentrations. Soybean biomass production, grain yield, As and F accumulation and distribution within the plant, and the antioxidant response to these stresses were analyzed. Arsenic was more toxic than F. At As levels >35 mg kg-1 and F levels >375 mg kg-1, yield loss reached 60% and 30%, respectively. At the highest dose of As plants died within 2 weeks, whereas F showed no lethality. When they were applied simultaneously, detrimental effects were more important. As and F in plants increased in all soybean organs although grains presented lowest concentration. Antioxidant enzymes were enhanced in plants but this increase was not high enough to cope with the oxidative insult.