Variation in Seed Germination and Early Growth of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) under Nickel Treatments

摘要

A study was conducted to determine the effect of different concentrations of the heavy metal nickel on seed germination and seedling growth of five varieties of Arachis hypogaea (TMV 3, TMV 5, TMV 9, TMV 11 and TMV 12). Seedlings were grown under laboratory conditions at 0, 10, 25, 50 and 100 mg/L of metal ions of nickel. Nickel treatments showed toxic effects on various growth indices of A. hypogaea. Increasing concentration of nickel up to 100 mg/L, the seed germination was decreased as compared to control. Root and shoot growth and fresh weight of the seedlings were also reduced at 100 mg/L treatment of nickel. TMV 9 exhibited somewhat more tolerant characters compared to other varieties. The concentrations above 100 mg/L proved to be lethal to groundnut varieties.