PJB-2019-836
PHYSICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF TWO MAIZE VARIETIES GROWING UNDER CHROMIUM STRESS
Zeb Saddiqe
Abstract
Two varieties of Z. mays (cv. DK-C61-42 and cv. X8F932) were evaluated in terms of physical growth and biochemical parameters of the seedlings growing under different concentrations of Cr (0.25, 1, 1.5 and 2 mM). Seed germination was less affected in cv. DK-C61-42 by the metal solution (95% germination) as compared to cv. X8F932 (75% germination) at 2 mM Cr. A significant decrease in root length up to 80% (p < 0.5) was observed in both the cultivars when treated with metal solutions. Shoot length was less affected by the metal solutions as compared to root (48% reduction in shoot length) in both the cultivars. A decrease in vigor index in metal treated seedlings was observed in the two cultivars at all the tested metal concentrations. Both the cultivars showed a tolerance index of 26.2 and 20.2% at 2 Mm metal solution. The activities of antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) significantly increased (p < 0.05) in metal treated groups as compared to control indicating their role in plant metabolism under metal stress conditions.
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