SUSTAINABLE STRATEGY TO LIMIT THE TRANSLOCATION OF ARSENIC IN MAIZE

PERALTA, JUAN MANUEL; BIANUCCI, ELIANA; TRAVAGLIA, CLAUDIA; FURLAN, ANA; CASTRO, STELLA

Congreso; XXI Annual Scientific Meeting. Sociedad de Biología de Córdoba; 2017

Arsenic (As) constitutes a global environmental problem. Some areas of Córdoba´s groundwater presents As concentrations that exceed the maximum allowed for drinking water (0.1 μM); this water can be absorbed by plants or be used for artificial irrigation. It is well-documented that maize interacts with strains belonging to the genus Azospirillum, which are able to promote plant growth. The aim of this research was to elucidate the differential response of the interaction established with bacterial strains and maize exposed to a realistic dose of As (3 μM). The reference strains, A. brasilense AZ39 and A. brasilense CD, were able to grow at As concentrations almost 500-fold higher than that found in the plant. Regardless of the inoculated strain, a significant reduction of growth was observed, accompanied by oxidative damage. Metalloid distribution pattern was similar between tested strains; remarkably, maize inoculation with A. brasilense AZ39 revealed a significant lower translocation factor than A. brasilense CD, promoting As phytostabilization. In conclusion, A. brasilense AZ39 is presented as the best inoculant for limiting metalloid translocation and accumulation to edible parts of the cereal, avoiding fruit contamination.