Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

Vol.14, Issue 1, 2008; Page No.(111-114)

EFFECT OF HEAVY METALS (ZINC, NICKEL AND CADMIUM) ON SEED GERMINATION, TOTAL CH!OROPHYLL CONTENT AND GRAIN YIELD OF MUSTARD B ASSICA JUNCEA)

Santa Sharma and Abha Agarwal

Abstract

In the present study, an attempt was made to examine the effect of different levels of zinc, nickel and cadmium (0,5, 10, 25, 50 mg kg-' soil) on seed germination, total chlorophyll content and grain yield of mustard ( B. juncea) cv - Kranti PR 45.The studies revealed that lower concentration (5mg kg-Isoil) of zinc and nickel did not affect the seed germination, while increase in concentration of both the metals progressively decreased the seed germination of mustard plant. Similarly higher concentration (i.e. 50 mg kg-' soil) of zinc and nickel resulted in decrease of total chlorophyll content and grain yield of mustard. However lower concentration (upto 10 mg kg-' soil) of zinc and nickel proved beneficial on total chlorophyll content and grain yield. On the other hand each concentration of cadmium resulted in a slight to significant decrease in seed germination , total chlorophyll content and grain yield of mustard plant. The results indicate that higher concentration (50 mg kg-' soil) of zinc, nickel and cadmium caused maximum reduction in all the three parameters in comparison of lower concentration. The reduction was more pronounced with cadmium.

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