Uptake and Phytotoxicity of TNT in Onion Plant

The uptake of $^{14}C$-2, 4, 6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) in hydroponics was studied using onion plants. Of the total TNT mass (5 $\mu\textrm{M}$ concentration), 75% was in the roots, 4.4% in the leaves, and 21% in the external solution at 2 days, The percent distribution in roots was lower with higher concentration in the external solution, but in leaves it was comparable at all concentrations (5-500 $\mu\textrm{M}$). Root concentration factor (RCF) in hydroponics was more than 85 in constant hydroponic experiment (CHE) at 5 $\mu\textrm{M}$ and 150 in non-constant hydroponic experiment (NHE) at 5 $\mu\textrm{M}$. The maximum RCF values in the hydroponic system were greater with lower solution concentration. Transpiration stream concentration factor (TSCF) values in the present study (NHE only: 0.31-0.56) were relatively similar to the values with predicted values (0.43-0.78), increasing with higher external TNT concentration. For phytotoxicity tested in hydroponics and wet paper method, 500 $\mu\textrm{M}$ was toxic to onion plant, 50 $\mu\textrm{M}$ was non-toxic for plant growth but limited the transpiration rate, and 5 $\mu\textrm{M}$ was non-toxic as control.