Effect of Lead Stress on Morphological and Physiological Features of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) during Vegetative Stage

Author: Satish Kumar and Amarendra Narayan Misra

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Abstract

The presence of lead (Pb) in agricultural soils caused by human activities has sparked concerns about its harmful effects on plant species. This research aimed to explore how lead affects different physiological factors in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Wheat seeds were germinated under controlled conditions in petri plates and exposed to varying concentrations (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 500 μM) of Pb(NO3)2. As the Pb concentration increased, there was a gradual decrease in germination percentage, fresh and dry weights, shoot and root lengths, as well as chlorophyll and carotenoid levels compared to the control group. This decline in growth and pigment content is attributed to peroxidative processes triggered by Pb toxicity in the root system. Enzyme analyses showed that exposure to 500 μM Pb resulted in reduced catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) activities, while superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity increased in both shoot and root tissues of wheat seedlings. In conclusion, this study highlights the negative impact of lead on various physiological aspects of wheat growth, including germination, growth inhibition, reduction in pigment content, and disruptions in enzyme activity. These findings underscore the need for effective strategies to alleviate lead-induced stress in agro ecosystems.

Keywords

Chlorophyll, Lead, Catalase, Peroxidase, Superoxide dismutase.

Conclusion

The current study has revealed that subjecting wheat seedlings to varying lead treatments results in a range of metabolic disruptions. These include reductions in germination rate, plant length, biomass, and photosynthetic pigment content, all indicative of the presence of lead-induced toxicity in the seedlings. In response to this toxicity, there was an observed increase in the activities of antioxidant enzymes, accumulation. These responses appear to serve as protective mechanisms against the harmful effects of lead exposure. Notably, the root system of the seedlings demonstrated greater vulnerability to lead toxicity compared to the shoot. Given the insights gained from this research, future experiments could be directed towards identifying specific molecules or compounds with the potential to mitigate the toxic impact of lead. By exploring novel strategies or substances that can counteract the detrimental effects of lead, researchers could contribute to the development of effective measures for safeguarding plants against heavy metal toxicity. These investigations could offer valuable solutions for managing the challenges posed by lead pollution and its adverse effects on plant systems.

References

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How to cite this article

Satish Kumar and Amarendra Narayan Misra (2023). Effect of Lead Stress on Morphological and Physiological Features of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) during Vegetative Stage. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(10): 918-924.