Interactive studies with metals cadmium zinc affecting growth and metabolic profile of some leguminous crops

Abstract

The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the toxicity of heavy metal cadmium affecting morphological, physiological and biochemical parameters in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L. cv. GPF-2) and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv. Palam Soya). Role of zinc was investigated in mitigation of metal induced toxicity. Cadmium application showed a deleterious effect on various growth parameters with enhanced oxidative stress in both the crops and its accumulation was also enhanced with an increase in its concentration. Zinc supplementation to cadmium stressed plants proved beneficial in improving growth parameters including yield and the overall development of plants. Zinc supplementation also lessened heavy metal accumulation in the crops. Higher levels of zinc proved better in ameliorating cadmium induced metal toxicity. newline