Evaluation of Toxic Effects of Hexavalent Chromium on the Yield and Quality of Sorghum

Sorghum is a multipurpose crop, but Cr(VI) toxicity influenced the production of the crop and have established highlighted courtesy, due to robust toxicity and a comparatively less known mode of action. Many reports approve the negative impact of Cr(VI) on plants. Yet, it is not clear that, at what concentrations, Cr(VI) inhibits the growth and nutrient quality of Sorghum. In the present research, toxic effects appeared after 1ppm of Cr treatment. The plant growth decreased 15 – 20% and nutritional quality decreased 30 – 40% significantly with increasing concentration of Cr(VI). Toxic components increased 14 – 16% with increasing concentration of Cr(VI) in both the varieties (HJ 541 and SSG 59-3). Chromium was accumulated more in roots followed by shoots with increasing Cr(VI) treatments (0-4 ppm). Chromium at 4ppm level was becoming lethal to Sorghum. Sorghum cultivar SSG 59-3 was more tolerable to Cr toxicity than HJ 541. Chromium accumulated in Sorghum and increased HCN content and at higher doses adversely affects the nutritive values and growth making it toxic for animal consumption. These findings may be useful for scheming a mitigation strategy for chromium toxicity.