Pak. J. Bot., 45(S1): 481-485, 2013.

FREE FULL TEXT PDF

EFFECTS OF LEAD RESISTANT BACTERIA ON THE EARLY GROWTH OF VIGNA MUNGO L. (HEPPER) UNDER LEAD STRESS

SYEDA SHAIMA MERYEM AND AZRA YASMIN^*

Abstract: Three lead resistant bacteria Bacillus pumilus (TE07), Bacillus cerus (TE12 & TE14), were examined for their plant growth promotion /remediation potential. Their ability to promote early growth and their effects on metal uptake by three varieties of Vigna mungo L. (Hepper) i.e., NARC-Mash-2, NARC-Mash-3 and NARC-Mash-97 was screened out under different concentration (0, 1, 2, 5, and 10Mm) of lead. Different growth parameters (seed germination, seedling root and shoot length, seedling fresh and dry biomass, dry matter accumulation per seedling) and accumulation of lead by inoculated and non inoculated seedlings were observed and recorded. Results revealed that lead drastically reduce the seed germination and seedling growth of all three verities of Mash, while bacterial inoculations improved germination and various growth parameters of Mash varieties. All bacteria for variety NARC-Mash-3 and strain TE-12 for Variety NARC-Mash-2 had a positive relationship to combat lead stress by improving the seedling growth. Study also revealed that genetic variation of both plant variety and bacterial strain is important in developing a successful remedial mechanism.

Department of Environmental Sciences, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan,

^*Corresponding author e-mail: azrayasmin@fjwu.edu.pk