Transfer bioaccumulation and dietary risk of arsenic in lentil genotypes grown on contaminated floodplain soils

Arsenic (As) contamination in agricultural soils poses a critical threat to food safety and public health, particularly in South Asia. Lentils ( Lens culinaris Medik. ), an essential source of dietary protein, are widely cultivated in As-affected regions but little is known about genotypic variability in As uptake, translocation and bioaccumulation. This study evaluated eleven lentil genotypes under high soil As conditions (38.2 mg kg⁻¹) to assess As transport from soil to grain via roots and shoots and to identify cultivars suitable for sustainable production. Results revealed significant varietal differences in As accumulation, biomass and yield. While overall grain yields were below the national average, BARI Masur-8 and BARI Masur-3 achieved the highest productivity (1161 and 1132 kg ha⁻¹, respectively), with BARI Masur-8 also recording the lowest grain As concentration (322 µg kg⁻¹). In contrast, BARI Masur-5, BINA Masur-5 and BARI Masur-2 exhibited the highest As accumulation in lentil grain. Relatively lower bioaccumulation and translocation factors were observed in BARI Masur-8, BARI Masur-7, BARI Masur-3 and BARI Masur-1 compared to other genotypes. All of these genotypes/varieties of lentil had lower root concentration ratios as well. Arsenic concentration followed a consistent distribution trend of root > shoot > grain across all genotypes. These findings highlight the potential of selective lentil breeding for As exclusion to mitigate dietary exposure and support safer lentil production in As-contaminated floodplain soils.