Abstract

Role of Excess Zinc on Cicer Arietinum UAR-PUSA 256

Author(s): Madhulika Yadav

Zinc is essential for growth and flowering of plant. The toxic effect of Zinc (Zn) at increasing concentration were studied with special attention being given to the morphological and biochemical response of Cicer arietinum. Seeds were grown in different concentration of ZnSO4 (0, 10, 25, 50, 75 and 100 μM) for 15 days. In respective to their controls, low concentration (10 and 25 μM) of Zn greatly stimulated the seed germination, while it was inhibited at maximum concentration (100 μM). Radial, hypocotyls length and root length (Tl) and plant height (Tl) were also augmented up to 25 μM of Zn addition and after that a significant reduction were noticed at 75 and 100 μM. The effects of toxicity of Zn on chlorophylls content and antioxidant enzymes activity include CAT, APX and GPX were also investigated. The data showed that the low concentration of Zn (25 μM) addition induced chlorophyll content and high doses of Zn reduced the chlorophyll synthesis. Maximum and minimum chlorophyll content were observed at 25 and 100 μM of Zn addition, respectively. Activities of antioxidant enzymes were indicated close relationship with increase of Zn concentration and shoots showed higher activity of antioxidant enzymes than roots. The activity of APX of shoot and root were higher that CAT and GPX.