The influence of cadmium and lead on Ulmus pumila L. seed germination and early seedling growth
The aim of this paper was to examine how the heavy metals cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) influence the germination and early growth of seedlings of the fast-growing tree species Ulmus pumila L. Seeds were germinated and seedlings were hydroponically grown in a solution with Cd-nitrate and Pb-ni...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
University of Belgrade, University of Novi Sad
2014-01-01
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| Series: | Archives of Biological Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0354-4664/2014/0354-46641401253D.pdf |
| Summary: | The aim of this paper was to examine how the heavy metals cadmium (Cd) and
lead (Pb) influence the germination and early growth of seedlings of the
fast-growing tree species Ulmus pumila L. Seeds were germinated and seedlings
were hydroponically grown in a solution with Cd-nitrate and Pb-nitrate at
concentrations of 20 μM, 50 μM and 90 μM. Our results show that seeds can
germinate in the presence of these two heavy metals at all of the applied
concentrations with no significant reduction in qualitative (germination
capacity, germination energy) or quantitative (germination intensity, mean
germination period) germination parameters as compared to the controls. Early
seedling development was also possible at higher concentrations of both heavy
metals. Cd reduced hypocotyl length, but not significantly the length of
radicles. Pb did not influence hypocotyl length and stimulated radicle length
significantly (95%). These results could mark a step forward in defining the
tolerance of U. pumila to the presence of Cd and Pb, and to the possibility
of using this fast-growing tree which is resistant to different abiotic and
biotic stresses, for phytoremediation or soil reclamation purposes. [Projekat
Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 43007] |
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| ISSN: | 0354-4664 1821-4339 |