Accumulation and Effects of Pb, Cr and Cd on the growth of Zea mays Seedlings

Heavy metals caused adverse effects on the plant growth and development, microbial growth and survival, productivity of soil and quality of soil. Heavy metal toxicity caused death of plants and soil microbes; therefore the... [ view full abstract ]

Heavy metals caused adverse effects on the plant growth and development, microbial growth and survival, productivity of soil and quality of soil. Heavy metal toxicity caused death of plants and soil microbes; therefore the removal of heavy metals from soil is necessary to keep microbes and plant healthy along with clean and pure environment. Prescribed study was conducted at Institute of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab Lahore, Pakistan to access the ability of maize genotypes (SWL-2002 and Raka-poshi) to grow and survive under heavy metals (chromium, cadmium and lead) in different treatments (control, 0.5mM CrCl_3, 0.5mM CdCl_3, 0.5mM Pb(NO₃)_2, 0.5mM+0.5mM CrCl₃+CdCl_2, 0.5 mM+0.5mM+0.5mM CrCl₃+CdCl₂₊Pb(NO₃)₂). It was found from results that both of the maize genotypes showed almost similar behavior under heavy metals treatments for different morphological studied traits. Strong and positive correlation was reported among the morphological traits and among the uptake of heavy metals by leaves, roots and stem. From principal component analysis it was revealed that most of the variation was due to the uptake of heavy metals by root, leaves and stem. The lowest uptake of chromium, cadmium and lead was reported under control and 0.5 mM+0.5mM+0.5mM CrCl₃+CdCl₂₊Pb(NO₃)₂ treatment which indicated the ability of heavy metals to be up taken by roots from root zone area of maize plants_. It was concluded form results that the heavy metals caused adverse effects on morphological traits of maize which ultimately reduced production and productivity of maize. It was also found beside the adverse effects of heavy metals maize may be used for the removal of heavy metals from soil biosphere.