Lecture 21 - Role of Plant Biotechnology in Environment | Plant Biotechnology - Botany PDF Download

 Page 1


Role of Plant Biotechnology in Environment 
 
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi                                       1 
 
                                                                
 
Lesson Prepared Under MHRD project “National Mission 
on Education Through ICT” 
 
Discipline: Botany 
 
Paper: Plant Biotechnology 
 
National Coordinator: Prof. S.C. Bhatla 
 
Lesson: Role of Plant Biotechnology in Environment 
 
Lesson Developer: Dr Meenakshi Vachher,  
Assistant Professor,Department of Biochemistry, Institute of 
Home Economics,University of Delhi 
 
Lesson Reviewer: Dr Parul Agarwal, Department of Genetics, 
University of Delhi South Campus 
 
Language Editor: Namrata Dhaka 
Department/College: Department of Genetics, University of 
Delhi, South Campus 
 
Lesson Editor: Dr Rama Sisodia, Fellow in Botany ILLL 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Page 2


Role of Plant Biotechnology in Environment 
 
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi                                       1 
 
                                                                
 
Lesson Prepared Under MHRD project “National Mission 
on Education Through ICT” 
 
Discipline: Botany 
 
Paper: Plant Biotechnology 
 
National Coordinator: Prof. S.C. Bhatla 
 
Lesson: Role of Plant Biotechnology in Environment 
 
Lesson Developer: Dr Meenakshi Vachher,  
Assistant Professor,Department of Biochemistry, Institute of 
Home Economics,University of Delhi 
 
Lesson Reviewer: Dr Parul Agarwal, Department of Genetics, 
University of Delhi South Campus 
 
Language Editor: Namrata Dhaka 
Department/College: Department of Genetics, University of 
Delhi, South Campus 
 
Lesson Editor: Dr Rama Sisodia, Fellow in Botany ILLL 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Role of Plant Biotechnology in Environment 
 
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi                                       2 
 
Table of Contents       
 
Chapter: Role of Plant Biotechnology in environment 
? Introduction 
? Phytoremediation 
? Phytoextraction 
? Phytotransformation 
? Phytostablization 
? Rhizodegradation 
? Phytovolatilization 
? Rhizofiltration 
? Transgenics and phytoremediation 
? Phytoremediation of heavy metals 
? Mercury 
? Selenium 
? Arsenic 
? Phytoremediation of herbicides, explosives and organic 
compounds 
? Plant associated microbes 
? Ozone tolerant plants 
? Plant diagnosis 
? Biofuels and biotechnology 
? Insecticide and herbicide resistant plants 
? Bioplastics 
? Summary  
? Exercise/ Practice 
? Glossary 
? References/ Bibliography/ Further Reading 
 
 
 
 
 
Page 3


Role of Plant Biotechnology in Environment 
 
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi                                       1 
 
                                                                
 
Lesson Prepared Under MHRD project “National Mission 
on Education Through ICT” 
 
Discipline: Botany 
 
Paper: Plant Biotechnology 
 
National Coordinator: Prof. S.C. Bhatla 
 
Lesson: Role of Plant Biotechnology in Environment 
 
Lesson Developer: Dr Meenakshi Vachher,  
Assistant Professor,Department of Biochemistry, Institute of 
Home Economics,University of Delhi 
 
Lesson Reviewer: Dr Parul Agarwal, Department of Genetics, 
University of Delhi South Campus 
 
Language Editor: Namrata Dhaka 
Department/College: Department of Genetics, University of 
Delhi, South Campus 
 
Lesson Editor: Dr Rama Sisodia, Fellow in Botany ILLL 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Role of Plant Biotechnology in Environment 
 
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi                                       2 
 
Table of Contents       
 
Chapter: Role of Plant Biotechnology in environment 
? Introduction 
? Phytoremediation 
? Phytoextraction 
? Phytotransformation 
? Phytostablization 
? Rhizodegradation 
? Phytovolatilization 
? Rhizofiltration 
? Transgenics and phytoremediation 
? Phytoremediation of heavy metals 
? Mercury 
? Selenium 
? Arsenic 
? Phytoremediation of herbicides, explosives and organic 
compounds 
? Plant associated microbes 
? Ozone tolerant plants 
? Plant diagnosis 
? Biofuels and biotechnology 
? Insecticide and herbicide resistant plants 
? Bioplastics 
? Summary  
? Exercise/ Practice 
? Glossary 
? References/ Bibliography/ Further Reading 
 
 
 
 
 
Role of Plant Biotechnology in Environment 
 
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi                                       3 
 
 
Introduction 
Plants are indispensable to our life as they provide us food, oxygen and also help in 
preserving the environment. The major applications of using plant biotechnology to 
improve our environment include: 
? Use of plants to remove toxic chemicals by phytoremediation 
? Use of plant biotechnology to remove aluminium toxicity from the soil. The 
scientists have introduced a citric acid producing gene in bacteria which reacts 
with aluminium and prevents its escape into the roots 
? Production of bioplastics 
? Produce crops resistant to insecticides and pesticides 
We will be dealing with these applications in detail in this chapter. 
 
Phytoremediation 
Phytoremediation (Phyto-plant and Remedium-restoring balance) is the use of plants 
to clean up the environment. In this process plants are utilized to remove, destroy or 
sequester hazardous chemicals from the environment. It has numerous advantages 
over traditional methods of waste management. It is a very cost effective method, has 
aesthetic advantages and has long term applicability. The plants can be monitored 
easily and there is a possibility of recovery and re-utilization of valuable metals 
(phytomining). It appears to be a potentially less harmful method of remediation as it 
preserves the environment in a natural state and uses natural organisms. 
Bioremediation or use of living organisms for environment clean up, is now being 
stated as to be among “the top ten technologies for the improvement of human health 
in developing countries” (Daar et al., 2002). Limitations of phytoremediation include 
the potential of introduction of contaminant or its metabolite into the food chain 
leading to bioaccumulation of contaminants. Also it is limited to the surface area and 
depth occupied by the roots. Sometimes slow growth and low biomass needs long term 
dedication. Contaminants can leach out into groundwater. Toxicity might also be 
encountered in establishment and maintenance of plants at waste sites. Long clean up 
times are required to achieve regulatory action levels. 
 
There are various types of phytoremediation processes: 
Page 4


Role of Plant Biotechnology in Environment 
 
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi                                       1 
 
                                                                
 
Lesson Prepared Under MHRD project “National Mission 
on Education Through ICT” 
 
Discipline: Botany 
 
Paper: Plant Biotechnology 
 
National Coordinator: Prof. S.C. Bhatla 
 
Lesson: Role of Plant Biotechnology in Environment 
 
Lesson Developer: Dr Meenakshi Vachher,  
Assistant Professor,Department of Biochemistry, Institute of 
Home Economics,University of Delhi 
 
Lesson Reviewer: Dr Parul Agarwal, Department of Genetics, 
University of Delhi South Campus 
 
Language Editor: Namrata Dhaka 
Department/College: Department of Genetics, University of 
Delhi, South Campus 
 
Lesson Editor: Dr Rama Sisodia, Fellow in Botany ILLL 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Role of Plant Biotechnology in Environment 
 
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi                                       2 
 
Table of Contents       
 
Chapter: Role of Plant Biotechnology in environment 
? Introduction 
? Phytoremediation 
? Phytoextraction 
? Phytotransformation 
? Phytostablization 
? Rhizodegradation 
? Phytovolatilization 
? Rhizofiltration 
? Transgenics and phytoremediation 
? Phytoremediation of heavy metals 
? Mercury 
? Selenium 
? Arsenic 
? Phytoremediation of herbicides, explosives and organic 
compounds 
? Plant associated microbes 
? Ozone tolerant plants 
? Plant diagnosis 
? Biofuels and biotechnology 
? Insecticide and herbicide resistant plants 
? Bioplastics 
? Summary  
? Exercise/ Practice 
? Glossary 
? References/ Bibliography/ Further Reading 
 
 
 
 
 
Role of Plant Biotechnology in Environment 
 
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi                                       3 
 
 
Introduction 
Plants are indispensable to our life as they provide us food, oxygen and also help in 
preserving the environment. The major applications of using plant biotechnology to 
improve our environment include: 
? Use of plants to remove toxic chemicals by phytoremediation 
? Use of plant biotechnology to remove aluminium toxicity from the soil. The 
scientists have introduced a citric acid producing gene in bacteria which reacts 
with aluminium and prevents its escape into the roots 
? Production of bioplastics 
? Produce crops resistant to insecticides and pesticides 
We will be dealing with these applications in detail in this chapter. 
 
Phytoremediation 
Phytoremediation (Phyto-plant and Remedium-restoring balance) is the use of plants 
to clean up the environment. In this process plants are utilized to remove, destroy or 
sequester hazardous chemicals from the environment. It has numerous advantages 
over traditional methods of waste management. It is a very cost effective method, has 
aesthetic advantages and has long term applicability. The plants can be monitored 
easily and there is a possibility of recovery and re-utilization of valuable metals 
(phytomining). It appears to be a potentially less harmful method of remediation as it 
preserves the environment in a natural state and uses natural organisms. 
Bioremediation or use of living organisms for environment clean up, is now being 
stated as to be among “the top ten technologies for the improvement of human health 
in developing countries” (Daar et al., 2002). Limitations of phytoremediation include 
the potential of introduction of contaminant or its metabolite into the food chain 
leading to bioaccumulation of contaminants. Also it is limited to the surface area and 
depth occupied by the roots. Sometimes slow growth and low biomass needs long term 
dedication. Contaminants can leach out into groundwater. Toxicity might also be 
encountered in establishment and maintenance of plants at waste sites. Long clean up 
times are required to achieve regulatory action levels. 
 
There are various types of phytoremediation processes: 
Role of Plant Biotechnology in Environment 
 
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi                                       4 
 
 
 
Figure: Various processes of phytoremediation: contaminants in soil as well as 
groundwater could be uptaken by plant roots (phytoextraction), be sequestered 
(phytostablization), degraded into harmless compounds (phytodegradation), volatilized 
in atmosphere (phytovolatilization) or could be degraded by soil microbes 
(rhizodegradation).  
Source: http://whenitrains.commons.gc.cuny.edu/files/2013/08/Phytoremediation-
580x747.jpg (CC) 
 
Visit link for animations: 
http://www.webapps.cee.vt.edu/ewr/environmental/teach/gwprimer/phyto/ph
yto.html 
 
? Phytoextraction (Phytoaccumulation):  
It is a process where the pollutants or waste materials are taken up or 
absorbed by the plant roots and stored in above ground and harvestable part of 
Page 5


Role of Plant Biotechnology in Environment 
 
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi                                       1 
 
                                                                
 
Lesson Prepared Under MHRD project “National Mission 
on Education Through ICT” 
 
Discipline: Botany 
 
Paper: Plant Biotechnology 
 
National Coordinator: Prof. S.C. Bhatla 
 
Lesson: Role of Plant Biotechnology in Environment 
 
Lesson Developer: Dr Meenakshi Vachher,  
Assistant Professor,Department of Biochemistry, Institute of 
Home Economics,University of Delhi 
 
Lesson Reviewer: Dr Parul Agarwal, Department of Genetics, 
University of Delhi South Campus 
 
Language Editor: Namrata Dhaka 
Department/College: Department of Genetics, University of 
Delhi, South Campus 
 
Lesson Editor: Dr Rama Sisodia, Fellow in Botany ILLL 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Role of Plant Biotechnology in Environment 
 
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi                                       2 
 
Table of Contents       
 
Chapter: Role of Plant Biotechnology in environment 
? Introduction 
? Phytoremediation 
? Phytoextraction 
? Phytotransformation 
? Phytostablization 
? Rhizodegradation 
? Phytovolatilization 
? Rhizofiltration 
? Transgenics and phytoremediation 
? Phytoremediation of heavy metals 
? Mercury 
? Selenium 
? Arsenic 
? Phytoremediation of herbicides, explosives and organic 
compounds 
? Plant associated microbes 
? Ozone tolerant plants 
? Plant diagnosis 
? Biofuels and biotechnology 
? Insecticide and herbicide resistant plants 
? Bioplastics 
? Summary  
? Exercise/ Practice 
? Glossary 
? References/ Bibliography/ Further Reading 
 
 
 
 
 
Role of Plant Biotechnology in Environment 
 
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi                                       3 
 
 
Introduction 
Plants are indispensable to our life as they provide us food, oxygen and also help in 
preserving the environment. The major applications of using plant biotechnology to 
improve our environment include: 
? Use of plants to remove toxic chemicals by phytoremediation 
? Use of plant biotechnology to remove aluminium toxicity from the soil. The 
scientists have introduced a citric acid producing gene in bacteria which reacts 
with aluminium and prevents its escape into the roots 
? Production of bioplastics 
? Produce crops resistant to insecticides and pesticides 
We will be dealing with these applications in detail in this chapter. 
 
Phytoremediation 
Phytoremediation (Phyto-plant and Remedium-restoring balance) is the use of plants 
to clean up the environment. In this process plants are utilized to remove, destroy or 
sequester hazardous chemicals from the environment. It has numerous advantages 
over traditional methods of waste management. It is a very cost effective method, has 
aesthetic advantages and has long term applicability. The plants can be monitored 
easily and there is a possibility of recovery and re-utilization of valuable metals 
(phytomining). It appears to be a potentially less harmful method of remediation as it 
preserves the environment in a natural state and uses natural organisms. 
Bioremediation or use of living organisms for environment clean up, is now being 
stated as to be among “the top ten technologies for the improvement of human health 
in developing countries” (Daar et al., 2002). Limitations of phytoremediation include 
the potential of introduction of contaminant or its metabolite into the food chain 
leading to bioaccumulation of contaminants. Also it is limited to the surface area and 
depth occupied by the roots. Sometimes slow growth and low biomass needs long term 
dedication. Contaminants can leach out into groundwater. Toxicity might also be 
encountered in establishment and maintenance of plants at waste sites. Long clean up 
times are required to achieve regulatory action levels. 
 
There are various types of phytoremediation processes: 
Role of Plant Biotechnology in Environment 
 
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi                                       4 
 
 
 
Figure: Various processes of phytoremediation: contaminants in soil as well as 
groundwater could be uptaken by plant roots (phytoextraction), be sequestered 
(phytostablization), degraded into harmless compounds (phytodegradation), volatilized 
in atmosphere (phytovolatilization) or could be degraded by soil microbes 
(rhizodegradation).  
Source: http://whenitrains.commons.gc.cuny.edu/files/2013/08/Phytoremediation-
580x747.jpg (CC) 
 
Visit link for animations: 
http://www.webapps.cee.vt.edu/ewr/environmental/teach/gwprimer/phyto/ph
yto.html 
 
? Phytoextraction (Phytoaccumulation):  
It is a process where the pollutants or waste materials are taken up or 
absorbed by the plant roots and stored in above ground and harvestable part of 
Role of Plant Biotechnology in Environment 
 
Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi                                       5 
 
biomass. It is a very advantageous process as it is environment friendly and 
doesn?t affect soil quality. Traditional methods of heavy metal cleanup disrupt 
soil structure and reduce productivity of soil. It is also a cost effective method 
of waste cleanup. Also, it is important to remove these plants after sometime so 
that they do not pollute the environment.  
The above ground parts of plants can be harvested and burnt to gain energy 
and recycle metals from ash. This process has been extensively used for 
remediation of heavy metals like Pb, Cd, Zn, Ni, Cu using plants like Indian 
mustard (Brassica juncea), sunflower (Helianthus spp.) and Thlaspi carulescens. 
Effective phytoextraction requires hyperaccumulator plants i.e., those plants 
that are capable of accumulating over 100 times more metal concentrations as 
compared to non-accumulator plants. For example, In 1990s Nickel 
hyperaccumulator Berkheya coddii was utilized to decontaminate land near the 
Rustenburg smelter (South Africa). Arsenic has been cleaned up using 
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) or Bracken fern, a hyperaccumulator. Bracken 
stores arsenic in its leaves as much as 200 times as compared to soil. Lead has 
been phytoextracted using Indian Mustard, Ragweed or Hemp Dogbane. 
 
Figure: Chelate assisted phytoremediation. Metal concentration is the solid line and 
shoot biomass is represented by dashed line. 
Source: http://www.personal.psu.edu/users//d/g/dgh5037/extEssay.html (CC)