Phytoremediation of Soil Pollutants by the Hybrid of Helianthus Annuus and Perennial Weed

Abstract: Sunflower is a hyperaccumulator of lead from the soil by the process of phytoextraction, so it can be used as a phytoremediator of lead from the soil. Sunflower is an annual plant and has a short lifespan and cannot grow in unfavourable conditions, so the somatic hybrid of a perennial weed and sunflower that can grow in adverse condition may be used for the Phytoremediation of soil contaminated with lead. The somatic hybrid was tried to be made using the protoplast fusion technique. Protoplasts from Helianthus annus and Launaea were isolated using both mechanical and enzymatic methods. Enzymatic method was found be more effective in protoplast isolation compared to mechanical method. Fusion was done using polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000) solution and Ca2+ washing solution. Protoplasts did fuse but failed to grow under culture conditions due to problems of fungal contamination. Although, the somatic hybrid could not be cultured or grown, the production of the hybrid utilizing protoplast fusion was successful.