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REDUCTION IN GERMINATION AND SEEDLING GROWTH OF THESPESIA POPULNEA L., CAUSED BY LEAD AND CADMIUM TREATMENTS

M.  KABIR, M. ZAFAR IQBAL, M. SHAFIQ AND Z.R. FAROOQI

Abstract: The effects of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) on seed germination, root, shoot, seedling growth, seedling dry weight and seedling vigor index of Thespesia populnea L. were studied. Seed germination, seedling growth and seedling dry weights were significantly (p<0.05) affected by different concentrations (10, 30, 50 and 70 µmol/L) of lead as compared to control. Lead concentration at 10 µ mol/L significantly reduced seed germination, seedling growth and dry weight as compared to control. Cd treatment at 10 µmol/L concentration also produced toxic effects on seed germination, seedling and root growth as compared to control. Increase in cadmium concentration up to 50 µmol/L produced a significant reduction in seedling dry weight of T. populnea as compared to control. Seedlings vigor index of T. populnea gradually decreased with the increase in concentrations of lead and cadmium. Lead and cadmium treatments at 70 µmol/L exhibited lowest percentage of tolerance as compared to control. It was concluded that inhibitory effects of cadmium treatments were more prominent than lead at its higher concentrations.

Department of Botany, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, Pakistan.