Arsenic Contamination and Their Effects on Leguminous Crops and Consumers: A Review.

Arsenic is harmful to most plants in high concentration as it interferes in metabolic activities and inhibits plant growth and reproduction process by arsenic induced phytotoxocity. It is a cancer inducing metalloid released into environment by both natural as well as anthropogenic activities. It also affects the leguminous crops like lentil and chickpea which is widely grown in these arsenic affected regions of West Bengal in India and in Bangladesh. However, a little is known about the arsenic accumulation on these crops when these crops are grown in the arsenic contaminated soils. Indo-Gangetic and Bramhaputra regions is one of the most arsenic contaminated points in the world and needs sustainable approach to control and avert their harmful effects on the crop plants, animals and human beings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]