Comparative biochemical and RAPD analysis in two varieties of rice (Oryza sativa) under arsenic stress by using various biomarkers.

Multiple biomarker systems have been frequently used to measure the genotoxic effects of environmental pollutants (including heavy metals) on living organisms. In this study, we used leaves of hydroponically grown 14 days old seedlings of rice (Oryza sativa) varieties (PB1 and IR64) treated with 50, 150 and 300 μM arsenite (As(III)) for 24 and 96 h duration. Reduction in seed germination, root-shoot length, chlorophyll and protein were observed with increasing As(III) concentration and duration in both varieties, being more in IR64. Increase/decrease of antioxidant enzymes and stress related parameters showed much changes at higher concentration for 24 and 96 h duration in both varieties. Eleven primers were found in RAPD analysis to produce polymorphic band pattern and produced a total of 51 (control), 79 (treated) and 42 (control) and 29 (treated) bands in PB1 and IR64 varieties, respectively. These results indicated that genomic template stability (GTS, changes in RAPD profile) was significantly affected at all tested As(III) concentration, when compared with other parameters. Differential response was observed in both varieties with PB1 being more tolerant. We concluded that DNA polymorphism detected by RAPD analysis in conjunction with other biochemical parameters could be a powerful eco-toxicological tool in bio-monitoring arsenic pollution.