• ISSN: 0972-8546
  • |
  • NAAS Rating (Scientific Journals): 3.63

Plant Science Research, Vol. 36 2014, Pages : 43-47

Lipsa, M. Mohanty, H. K. Patra and C. Pradhan

Cadmium and chromium induced physiological changes in sesban seedlings

The present hydroponic study depicts the adverse impacts of heavy metals like cadmium (Cd) and chromium (Cr) on some physiological parameters of sesban (Sesbania sesban L. Merill.) seedlings. The seedlings were exposed to varying concentrations of K2Cr2O7 and CdCl2 (10-100 μM) for 14 days and different parameters like root and shoot length, biomass of root and shoot, chlorophyll and proline contents of the seedlings were measured. Root and shoot length was reduced to nearly 35% in presence of 100 ìM of CdCl2 and K2Cr2O7 for 14 days and it was found that Cr has more inhibitory effect on root and shoot length than Cd. The fresh biomass content of the seedlings was reduced by 80% with increased heavy metal concentrations. Cadmium has more inhibitory effect on shoot biomass in comparison to Cr. Dry biomass of 14 days treated sesban seedlings was reduced by 90% with 100 ìM of CdCl2 and K2Cr2O7. Chlorophyll content was reduced by 30%-50% with the metal treatments and proline was accumulated in seedlings, even up to eight times more in comparison to control. Seedlings with chromium treatment showed more proline accumulation than cadmium treated seedlings. These changes in morphological and biochemical parameters of sesban seedlings at different growth periods can be used as important bio-indicators of Cd and Cr stress.



Full Text PDF