Toxicity of Cu, Pb, and Zn on Seed Germination and Young Seedlings of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

Abstract. Seeds and young seedlings of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under exposure to Copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and Zinc (Zn) were studied by employing a hydroponic experiment. Addition of Cu or Pb or Zn to the solution inhibited seed germination, plumule and radicle elongation. The toxic of metals to seed germination parameters can be arranged in the rank order of inhibition as follows: Cu > Pb >> Zn. This study showed the contents of chlorophyll and soluble protein in young seedlings of wheat were decreased after 4 d of all heavy metal treatments. Among the tested metals, the toxic of metal to young seedlings was found similar to seeds. All heavy metal concentrations in seedlings increase with their increase in the medium and the duration of treatments. On the other hand, the results demonstrated that the excess accumulation of Cu in leaf and roots could reduce accumulations of zinc (Zn); the excess accumulation of Pb decreased the levels of Cu or Zn in leaf and roots; the excess accumulation of Zn had no influence on Cu accumulations in leaf and roots.

Magnetic (Fe3O4) Nanoparticles Reduce Heavy Metals Uptake and Mitigate Their Toxicity in Wheat Seedling

“…The treatments of Cd and Cu inhibited growth and even led to the death of wheat seedling at 10 mM concentration. Cd and Cu have been known to be very toxic to many plants [14], and this was confirmed in our present study with the wheat seedlings. The highest concentration of heavy metals caused negative effects on many parameters of plant growth such as the decrease in nutritive elements and water absorbance, disturbance in water balance, inhibition of enzyme activity, decrease in metabolism and photosynthesis and respiration, and even death of plants [37].…”

“…Based on the mentioned observations from our study, the order of heavy metal toxicity to seedling growth was: Cd > Cu > Pb > Zn. A similar order of toxicity was observed by Wang et al [14] (pp. 231-240) when the same metals, excluding Cd, were used to treat wheat seedlings.…”

“…In addition, based on our previous study (data not published), this concentration of nano-Fe 3 O 4 had greater effect in reducing toxicity of Cd (25 mg/L) in wheat and cucumber seedlings. Similarly, Wang et al [14] (pp. 231-140) reported that copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) affected radicle elongation of wheat at 1 mM and 10 mM.…”

“…294-299), during 1998-2001, 36-50% of the Cd consumed by Japanese was from rice. Some heavy metals (e.g., Mn and Zn) are beneficial to microorganisms, plants, and animals [14]. However, these metals at high concentrations in contaminated soils and water can be toxic to plants (primary producers) [11,15,16].…”

Magnetite (Fe3O4) Nanoparticles Alleviate Growth Inhibition and Oxidative Stress Caused by Heavy Metals in Young Seedlings of Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus L)

“…We synthesized magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ) nanoparticles with a size of about 6nm following the procedures from Xiao et al [27]. The four heavy metals (PbCl 2 , ZnSO 4 …”