Browsing by Author "P.C. Abhilash"

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A rapid assessment of stubble burning and air pollutants from satellite observations
(Springer, 2024) P. Das; M.D. Behera; P.C. Abhilash
For the last several years, the air quality of India’s capital Delhi and surrounding region (NCR) has been degrading to a very poor and severe category during the autumn season. In addition to the various sources of air pollutants within the NCR region, the stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana states contributes to the poor air quality in this region. The current study employs the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) active fire products and TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) products on carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations for spatio-temporal assessment of stubble burning and associated emissions. The analysis performed in the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform indicated a nearly threefold rise in crop residue burning in November than in October, with 92.58% and 7.42% reported from Punjab and the Haryana states in November, respectively. The study highlights the availability of near-real-time remote sensing observations and the utility of the GEE platform for rapid assessment of stubble burning and emissions thereof, having the potential for developing mitigation strategies. © International Society for Tropical Ecology 2023.
Adaptive soil management
(2013) P.C. Abhilash; Rama Kant Dubey; Vishal Tripathi; Pankaj Srivastava; J.P. Verma; H.B. Singh
[No abstract available]
Application of nanotechnology for the encapsulation of botanical insecticides for sustainable agriculture: Prospects and promises
(Elsevier Inc., 2014) Jhones Luiz de Oliveira; Estefânia Vangelie Ramos Campos; Mansi Bakshi; P.C. Abhilash; Leonardo Fernandes Fraceto
This review article discusses the use of nanotechnology in combination with botanical insecticides in order to develop systems for pest control in agriculture. The main types of botanical insecticides are described, together with different carrier systems and their potential uses. The botanical insecticides include those based on active principles isolated from plant extracts, as well as essential oils derived from certain plants. The advantages offered by the systems are highlighted, together with the main technological challenges that must be resolved prior to future implementation of the systems for agricultural pest control. The use of botanical insecticides associated with nanotechnology offers considerable potential for increasing agricultural productivity, while at the same time reducing impacts on the environment and human health. © 2014 Elsevier Inc.
Assessing the impacts of sewage sludge amendment containing nano-TiO2 on tomato plants: A life cycle study
(Elsevier B.V., 2019) Mansi Bakshi; Clarisse Liné; Diana E. Bedolla; Ricardo José Stein; Ralf Kaegi; Géraldine Sarret; Ana E. Pradas del Real; Hiram Castillo-Michel; P.C. Abhilash; Camille Larue
Increasing evidence indicates the presence of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) in sewage sludge derived from wastewater treatment. Land application of sewage sludge is, therefore, considered as an important pathway for ENP transfer to the environment. The aim of this work was to understand the effects of sewage sludge containing nano-TiO2 on plants (tomato) when used as an amendment in agricultural soil. We assessed developmental parameters for the entire plant life cycle along with metabolic and bio-macromolecule changes and titanium accumulation in plants. The results suggest that the sewage sludge amendment containing nano-TiO2 increased plant growth (142% leaf biomass, 102% fruit yield), without causing changes in biochemical responses, except for a 43% decrease in leaf tannin concentration. Changes in elemental concentrations (mainly Fe, B, P, Na, and Mn) of plant stem, leaves and, to a lesser extent fruits were observed. Fourier-transformed infrared analysis showed maximum changes in plant leaves (decrease in tannins and lignins and increase in carbohydrates) but no change in fruits. No significant Ti enrichment was detected in tomato fruits. In conclusion, we evidenced no acute toxicity to plants and no major implication for food safety after one plant life cycle exposure. © 2019 Elsevier B.V.
Assessment of tropical cyclone amphan affected inundation areas using sentinel-1 satellite data
(Springer, 2022) Mukunda Dev Behera; Jaya Prakash; Somnath Paramanik; Sujoy Mudi; Jadunandan Dash; Roma Varghese; Partha Sarathi Roy; P.C. Abhilash; Anil Kumar Gupta; Prashant Kumar Srivastava
Tropical cyclones as natural disturbances, influence ecosystem structure, function and dynamics at the global scale. This study assesses the inundation due to the super cyclone Amphan in coastal districts of eastern India by leveraging the computational power of Google Earth Engine (GEE) and the availability of high resolution Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data. A cloud-based image processing framework was developed and implemented in GEE for classification using Random Forest algorithm. The inundation areas due to storm surge owing to cyclone Amphan, were mapped and further categorised to different land use and land cover classes based on an existing land cover map. Sentinel-1 images were useful in post-cyclone studies for the change detection analysis due to its higher temporal resolution and cloud penetration ability. The study found that the majority of agricultural and agricultural fallow lands were inundated in the coastal districts. The availability of open-source cloud-based data processing platforms provides cost effective way to rapidly gather accurate geospatial information. Such information could be useful for emergency response planning and post-event disaster management including relief, rescue and rehabilitation measures; and crop yield loss assessment. Cyclone and Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) change can have significant impacts on the human population and if both coexist, the consequences for people and the surrounding environment may be severe. © 2021, International Society for Tropical Ecology.
Biogenic silver nanoparticles based on trichoderma harzianum: Synthesis, characterization, toxicity evaluation and biological activity
(Nature Publishing Group, 2017) Mariana Guilger; Tatiane Pasquoto-Stigliani; Natália Bilesky-Jose; Renato Grillo; P.C. Abhilash; Leonardo Fernandes Fraceto; Renata De Lima
White mold is an agricultural disease caused by the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, which affects important crops. There are different ways of controlling this organism, but none provides inhibition of its resistance structures (sclerotia). Nanotechnology offers promising applications in agricultural area. Here, silver nanoparticles were biogenically synthesized using the fungus Trichoderma harzianum and characterized. Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity were evaluated, and the nanoparticles were initially tested against white mold sclerotia. Their effects on soybean were also investigated with no effects observed. The nanoparticles showed potential against S. sclerotiorum, inhibiting sclerotia germination and mycelial growth. Nanoparticle characterization data indicated spherical morphology, satisfactory polydispersity and size distribution. Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity assays showed that the nanoparticles caused both the effects, although, the most toxic concentrations were above those applied for white mold control. Given the potential of the nanoparticles against S. sclerotiorum, we conclude that this study presents a first step for a new alternative in white mold control. © The Author(s) 2017.
Biopesticides: Volume 2: Advances in Bio-inoculants
(Elsevier, 2021) Amitava Rakshit; Vijay Singh Meena; P.C. Abhilash; B.K. Sarma; H.B. Singh; Leonardo Fraceto; Manoj Parihar; Anand Kumar Singh
Biopesticide: Volume Two, the latest release in the Advances in Bioinoculant series, provides an updated overview on the active substances utilized in current bioinsecticides, along with information on which of them can be used for integrated pest management programs in agro-ecosystems. The book presents a comprehensive look at the development of novel solutions against new targets, also introducing new technologies that enhance the efficacy of already available active substances. Finally, readers will find insights into the advanced molecular studies on insect microbial community diversity that are opening new frontiers in the development of innovative pest management strategies. This book will be valuable to those prioritizing agro biodiversity management to address optimal productizing and enhanced food security. © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Bioremediation for Fueling the Biobased Economy
(Elsevier Ltd, 2016) Vishal Tripathi; Sheikh A. Edrisi; Anthonia O'Donovan; Vijai K. Gupta; P.C. Abhilash
Increasing CO2 emission, land degradation, and pollution are major environmental challenges that need urgent global attention. Remediation strategies are essential for tackling these issues concurrently. Here we propose integrating bioremediation with CO2 sequestration for revitalizing polluted land while deriving bioproducts from renewable and waste biomass for fueling a sustainable bioeconomy. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd
Biotechnological Advances for Restoring Degraded Land for Sustainable Development
(Elsevier Ltd, 2017) Vishal Tripathi; Sheikh Adil Edrisi; Bin Chen; Vijai K. Gupta; Raivo Vilu; Nicholas Gathergood; P.C. Abhilash
Global land resources are under severe threat due to pollution and unsustainable land use practices. Restoring degraded land is imperative for regaining ecosystem services, such as biodiversity maintenance and nutrient and water cycling, and to meet the food, feed, fuel, and fibre requirements of present and future generations. While bioremediation is acknowledged as a promising technology for restoring polluted and degraded lands, its field potential is limited for various reasons. However, recent biotechnological advancements, including producing efficient microbial consortia, applying enzymes with higher degrees of specificity, and designing plants with specific microbial partners, are opening new prospects in remediation technology. This review provides insights into such promising ways to harness biotechnology as ecofriendly methods for remediation and restoration. Global land degradation negatively affects the ecosystem services offered by land systems. Biotechnological advancements (e.g., genomics, metabolomics, and proteomics) can be exploited for restoring degraded lands for multipurpose environmental benefits. Customized (site-specific, pollutant-specific, and cost-effective) packages are essential for successful restoration programs. Restoration efforts must also be targeted for obtaining bioproducts for supporting a bio-based economy. © 2017 Elsevier Ltd
Carbon sequestration and harnessing biomaterials from terrestrial plantations for mitigating climate change impacts
(Elsevier, 2022) Sheikh Adil Edrisi; Vishal Tripathi; Pradeep Kumar Dubey; P.C. Abhilash
Global warming and associated climatic changes due to rapidly increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emission majorly by various anthropogenic activities led to negative impacts on various natural resources including the land and forest systems. Biomass production has been continuously suggested to address these issues, as it not only assists in environmental cleanup but also sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) under both aboveground and belowground domains. Being a versatile source of renewable energy, biomass uses are very much diversified such as bioenergy, biocomposites, biopolymers, bioplastics, and other biomaterials thereby providing strength to build cohesive bioeconomy for sustainable development. Therefore, the present chapter deals with the abovementioned account for the same in order to address several targets of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs). Moreover, it also focuses on potential practices to enhance the production of quality biomass feedstock from degraded and neglected natural resources such as the marginal and degraded lands and forest systems for human well-being and nature's vitality. © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Connecting microbial capabilities with the soil and plant health: Options for agricultural sustainability
(Elsevier B.V., 2019) Pramod K. Sahu; Dhananjaya P. Singh; Ratna Prabha; Kamlesh K. Meena; P.C. Abhilash
Microorganisms are the key players in every agro-ecosystem. They are the natural inhabitants of all the soil and plant systems, in which they represent dominant presence in terms of their vast diversity and multipronged functional capabilities. Multifarious physical, chemical and biological factors usually represent good soil fertility status as a guaranty of sustainable agro-ecology, plant health and crop productivity. Since healthy soils are largely characterized by their profound biological and chemical behavior, microbial functionalities related to nutrient fixation, recycling, acquisition, sequestration, solubilization, mobilization, decomposition, degradation and remediation may act as definitive indicators. Functional capabilities of microbial communities associated with soils and plant parts have been critically identified and characterized in the past few decades. Application of individual microbes or their consortia in many crops established their role in finding out a supplement and/or substitute in the existing agricultural practices which are largely dependent on synthetic chemical inputs in present time. We are presenting here a detailed account of microbial community functions, their relation with the soil and plant health and the potential indicative roles they play to establish a sustainable soil ecological environment for supporting crop growth, development and yield in long term. © 2018
Effect of temperature variation on lindane dissipation and microbial activity in soil
(Elsevier, 2015) Vishal Tripathi; P.C. Abhilash; H.B. Singh; Nandita Singh; D.D. Patra
There is a general consensus that temperature variation can significantly affect the fate and behavior of pesticides and microbial activity in soil. Therefore, the present study was aimed to evaluate the effect of temperature variation on dissipation of lindane from soil. The soil samples were spiked with four different concentrations of lindane (5, 10, 15 and 20mgkg-1) and were incubated at 28, 33, 40 and 48°C for 45 days. The residual lindane concentrations in soil, 50% dissipation rate of lindane (DT50), microbial biomass carbon (MBC) as well as soil dehydrogenase activities were monitored periodically. Irrespective of the initial lindane concentrations and exposure days, the increase in temperature significantly reduced the residual lindane and increased the dissipation of lindane from soil (p<0.001). Similarly, the temperature increase from 28-48°C significantly reduced the MBC content (p<0.01) and soil dehydrogenase activity (p<0.001). Most interestingly, the warming climate significantly reduced the DT50 days at 99.9% confidence level. This was more prominent at 48°C (r2=0.981). Our study concludes that warming temperature can significantly reduce the microbial activity, soil enzymes as well as the dissipation rate of pesticides from soil. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first experimental report on the dissipation of lindane under warming temperature. However, more studies are required to underpin the detailed physical, chemical and biological process involved in the dissipation and bioremediation of pesticides under warming temperature. © 2015 Elsevier B.V.
Emergy-based sustainability analysis of bioenergy production from marginal and degraded lands of India
(Elsevier B.V., 2022) Sheikh Adil Edrisi; Sheikh Arshiya Sahiba; Bin Chen; P.C. Abhilash
Analysing the sustainability of cultivating biomass and biofuel plant species on marginal and degraded lands is essential for assessing the socio-economic and environmental perspectives. Various approaches have been suggested for the sustainability analyses, such as life cycle assessment, footprint analysis, multi-criteria decision analysis, and emergy analysis. Among these approaches, the emergy analysis is one of the most direct methods to assess the system's sustainability. The present article was aimed to perform the emergy analysis to quantify the ecological impacts, bioenergy potential, socio-economic efficiency, and the sustainability of the bioenergy production systems. The emergy-based sustainability analysis was conducted for the Soyabean-, Pongamia-, Jatropha-based biodiesel and Tectona-based biomass production systems from the Indian marginal and degraded lands. Results depicted that under a set of system boundaries for each plant species, total emergy output (U) of 1000 kg biodiesel (biomass in case of Tectona) was calculated to be 0.99E+16 for Soyabean-; 1.01E+16 for Pongamia-; 1.33E+16 for Jatropha- and 0.72E+16 sej for Tectona-based bioenergy production options. Emergy of fuels dominated the economic inflows (F) (32.53%) under the Soyabean-based option making it the second system to represent a greater environmental load ratio (ELR) of 17.98. Furthermore, the emergy of water resources was dominated under F in other studied bioenergy options, i.e., 38.08% of F in Pongamia-, 44.54% in Jatropha-, and 66.52% in Tectona-based systems. The emergy sustainability indices (ESI) of 0.06, 1.04, 0.34, and 0.02 were found for Soyabean-, Pongamia-, Jatropha-, Tectona-based bioenergy production systems, respectively. Sensitivity analysis further suggested that a decrease of 3.5% in F resulted in a 10.02% increase of ESI for the Pongamia-based option. Pongamia-based options depicted an ESI > 1, which could be considered to have a sustainable contribution to the economy for medium periods. The estimated ESIs were fundamentally low because the systems were dependent mainly on the F. © 2022
Exploring marginal and degraded lands for biomass and bioenergy production: An Indian scenario
(Elsevier Ltd, 2016) Sheikh Adil Edrisi; P.C. Abhilash
Globally, the share of renewable energy is limited to 19% of the total energy consumption. Out of which, 9.3% is shared by traditional biomass. In India, the installed capacity of energy production from biomass is estimated as 12.8% of the total renewables. Although this scenario is at par with the global level, even this share of bioenergy production is not sufficient to meet the present and future energy demands of India. Therefore, there is an immediate need to maximize the bioenergy production in India. Apart from the reduced emission rate than the fossil fuels, bioenergy has also immense potential to mitigate various environmental issues and therefore the biofuel cultivation has been considered as an additional opportunity for land restoration. However, the land availability for bioenergy production is very limited since there is a growing demand to produce more food to feed the rapidly growing population. Therefore, the arable lands cannot be considered for bioenrgy production. Hence we propose that the sustainable intensification of bioenergy production from degraded land is a viable option because the wise and judicious utilization of marginal and degraded lands can play a vital role in solving the conflict between food and fuel production and offer a sustainable solution to meet out the energy requirement of the society. In this backdrop, the present article is aimed to explore the prospects and promises of bioenergy production from the marginal and degraded lands of India. Since India has around 39.24 million hectares of wastelands, sustainable utilization of such land would provide multipurpose benefits such as biomass and bioenergy production, soil carbon sequestration and regaining ecosystem services. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd.
Exploring rhizospheric interactions for agricultural sustainability: The need of integrative research on multi-trophic interactions
(Elsevier Ltd, 2016) Rama Kant Dubey; Vishal Tripathi; Pradeep Kumar Dubey; H.B. Singh; P.C. Abhilash
Large scale exploitation of rhizospheric interactions is essential for enhancing the agroecosystems resilience to climate change and also for adopting inventive adaptation strategies for maximizing the food production under such adverse conditions. Successful exploitation of rhizospheric interactions can be used for improving the soil fertility and organic carbon pool while minimizing the trace gases emission from agrosystems. Most importantly, such knowledge can be used to enhance the plant-microbe interactions, conferring diseases resistance to host plants, bioremediation and restoration of marginal and degraded lands. However, recent studies proved that changing climatic conditions can alter the rhizosphere biology by modifying the root exudation rate, resource availability and biogeochemical cycling. Therefore, strategic and applied researches are essential to explore the rhizosphere biology under changing climatic conditions and harnessing all beneficial interactions as a low-input biotechnology for sustainable agriculture, ecosystem restoration and environmental sustainability. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd.
Food for thought: Putting wild edibles back on the table for combating hidden hunger in developing countries
(Indian Academy of Sciences, 2018) Ajeet Singh; Pradeep Kumar Dubey; P.C. Abhilash
Agrobiodiversity is crucial for feeding the rapidly growing human population and also for attaining the UN Sustainable Development Goals such as no poverty, zero hunger and good health and well being for one and all, as the 2030 agenda for sustainable development. Agrobiodiversity is also imperative for dietary diversification, and for breeding the next generation of climate-smart crops for futuristic conditions. Here we discuss the importance of wild crop plants for the food and nutritional security in the developing world. © 2018 Current Science Association, Bengaluru.
Genetically engineered bacteria: An emerging tool for environmental remediation and future research perspectives
(2011) Jay Shankar Singh; P.C. Abhilash; H.B. Singh; Rana P. Singh; D.P. Singh
This minireview explores the environmental bioremediation mediated by genetically engineered (GE) bacteria and it also highlights the limitations and challenges associated with the release of engineered bacteria in field conditions. Application of GE bacteria based remediation of various heavy metal pollutants is in the forefront due to eco-friendly and lesser health hazards compared to physico-chemical based strategies, which are less eco-friendly and hazardous to human health. A combination of microbiological and ecological knowledge, biochemical mechanisms and field engineering designs would be an essential element for successful in situ bioremediation of heavy metal contaminated sites using engineered bacteria. Critical research questions pertaining to the development and implementation of GE bacteria for enhanced bioremediation have been identified and poised for possible future research. Genetic engineering of indigenous microflora, well adapted to local environmental conditions, may offer more efficient bioremediation of contaminated sites and making the bioremediation more viable and eco-friendly technology. However, many challenges are to be addressed concerning the release of genetically engineered bacteria in field conditions. There are possible risks associated with the use of GE bacteria in field condition, with particular emphasis on ways in which molecular genetics could contribute to the risk mitigation. Both environmental as well as public health concerns need to be addressed by the molecular biologists. Although bioremediation of heavy metals by using the genetically engineered bacteria has been extensively reviewed in the past also, but the bio-safety assessment and factors of genetic pollution have been never the less ignored. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.
Improving Water Storage through Effective Soil Organic Matter Management Strategies under Dryland Farming in India
(CRC Press, 2024) C. Srinivasarao; S. Rakesh; G.Ranjith Kumar; M. Jagadesh; K.C. Nataraj; R. Manasa; S. Kundu; S. Malleswari; K.V. Rao; J.V.N.S. Prasad; R.S. Meena; G. Venkatesh; P.C. Abhilash; J. Somasundaram; R. Lal
With the rise in global population, food demand is increasing particularly in densely populated South Asia. In India, rainfed area covers about 55% of the net sown area (139.42 million ha) and about 61% of the farmers are cultivating crops under the rainfed region. Almost 80% of small and marginal farmers of the country depend on the rainfed farming for their livelihoods. Rainfall is the main source of water in drylands. Coping with the extreme variability in rainfall, high-intensity storms, and high frequency of dry spells are the key challenges in rainfed agriculture as it is complex, highly diverse, and risk prone. Soil organic carbon (SOC) has a critical role in soil plant water relationships and contributes to drought mitigation. Increasing SOC by 1% may increase the available water holding capacity (AWHC) by 2 to >5%. Soil organic matter content (SOM) is also vital to soil processes like nutrient dynamics, water interactions, and for maintaining the biological and physical health of soil. The low level of SOC content in rainfed drylands is due to rapid decomposition of added organic matter, loss of carbon through soil erosion and use of inappropriate crop management practices. Thus, improving SOC in drylands contributes to productivity enhancement and stability due to higher available water retention during mid-season droughts while improving other soil productivity factors. Therefore, intensive implementation of site-specific available C enrichment technologies in different agro-ecosystems can maintain the overall productivity functions of soil even under adverse conditions. Thus, the present chapter aims to cover the SOC status of rainfed drylands, drought management with improving SOC technologies along with various national programs which address to improve SOC content and stocks in agroecosystems of India. © 2024 selection and editorial matter, Rattan Lal; individual chapters, the contributors.
Indian spinach: an underutilized perennial leafy vegetable for nutritional security in developing world
(Joint Center on Global Change and Earth System Science of the University of Maryland and Beijing Normal University, 2018) Ajeet Singh; Pradeep K. Dubey; Rajan Chaurasiya; Nitin Mathur; Gangesh Kumar; Sujeet Bharati; P.C. Abhilash
Exploration and sustainable utilization of wild crops are essential for the dietary diversification and also for ensuring the nutritional requirements of growing human population. In this background, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the occurrence, distribution and habitat characterization of two underutilized perennial leafy vegetables of Basellaceae, i.e., Basella alba and Basella rubra, commonly called as Indian spinach or Malabar spinach. For this, extensive field surveys and habitat analysis have been conducted in selected districts of North and West India and national and global distribution maps were prepared based on the available literature. The habitat analysis clearly indicates that Basella species can luxuriously grow in diverse soil conditions (i.e., from acid to alkaline conditions and also in degraded and nutrient poor soils). However, the fresh leaves and stems of both Basella species are rich in protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, Ca, Fe, Mg, P, K, Na, Zn, Cu, Mn and Se and also having essential amino acids and flavones. It can be directly used in salads or can be used as a standalone vegetable for making soups, stews, steamed and oil fried items. In India, it is also being used to make snacks (pakoda). Though it was widely cultivated in Southeast Asia and China since ancient times, it is being gradually neglected and replaced by other greens. Owing to its adaptability to grow luxuriously in hot and humid tropical climate, it can be exploited as a promising leafy vegetable for the warming climatic conditions. However, suitable agronomic practices and crop improvement programs are necessary for improving the adaptability and nutritional quality of Basella species. © 2018, Joint Center on Global Change and Earth System Science of the University of Maryland and Beijing Normal University and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.
Influence of inoculation of arsenic-resistant Staphylococcus arlettae on growth and arsenic uptake in Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. Var. R-46
(Elsevier, 2013) Shubhi Srivastava; Praveen C. Verma; Vasvi Chaudhry; Namrata Singh; P.C. Abhilash; Kalpana V. Kumar; Neeta Sharma; Nandita Singh
An arsenic hypertolerant bacterium was isolated from arsenic contaminated site of West Bengal, India. The bacteria was identified as Staphylococcus arlettae strain NBRIEAG-6, based on 16S rDNA analysis. S. arlettae was able to remove arsenic from liquid media and possesses arsC gene, gene responsible for arsenate reductase activity. The biochemical profiling of the isolated strain showed that it had the capacity of producing indole acetic acid (IAA), siderophores and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase. Furthermore, an experiment was conducted to test the effect of S. arlettae inoculation on concurrent plant growth promotion and arsenic uptake in Indian mustard plant [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. Var. R-46] when grown in arsenic spiked (5, 10 and 15mgkg-1) soil. The microbial inoculation significantly (p<0.05) increased biomass, protein, chlorophyll and carotenoids contents in test plant. Moreover, as compared to the non-inoculated control, the As concentration in shoot and root of inoculated plants were increased from 3.73 to 34.16% and 87.35 to 99.93%, respectively. The experimental results show that the plant growth promoting bacteria NBRIEAG-6 has the ability to help B. juncea to accumulate As maximally in plant root, and therefore it can be accounted as a new bacteria for As phytostabilization. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.