INFLUENCE OF CADMIUM AND LEAD ON PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL RESPONSES OF SESAMUM INDICUM (L) SEEDLINGS. I. GERMINATION BEHAVIOR, TOTAL PROTEIN AND PROLINE CONTENT AND PROTEASE ACTIVITY

摘要

Physiological and biochemical responses of Sesamum Indicum (L) seedlings under the influence of cadmium and lead were investigated with reference to germination behaviour, total protein and praline content and protease activity. The CdCl_2, at a concentration of 1000 μM was found to be completely lethal but PbCl~2 was not. Increasing concentration of both the metals decreased germination rate and the inhibition of root growth was more. With increasing concentration of Cd and Pb total protein increased upto 120 h and a decrease was prominent at 168 h. Activity of protease also decrease Proline accumulation was also more with increasing concentration of the heavy metals. No doubt, Cd was proved to be more toxic than Pb and the effect was maximum in roots and minimum in leaf.