Arsenic and fluoride effects on white clover (Trifollium repens) seeds early development

摘要

In several areas of the Chacopampean plain (Argentina) white clover fields are irrigated with groundwater, in which arsenic (As) and other inorganic trace elements like fluoride (F) are naturally present. In this study we analyzed the effect of a combination of As and F on the germination and growth parameters of white clover seeds. A non significant decrease in germination percentage regard to control was observed for all treatments. Nevertheless, a significant negative effect on both, radicle and hypocotyl elongation was observed when seeds were exposed to As or As-F mixture. The present results denote that more investigation on the effect of As on forage plants and the interaction with several factor like other ions present in water is needed.