Effect of Some Heavy Metals on Germination and Growth of Zea mays L

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of heavy metals on germination and growth of Zea mays. Six concentrations (2,0, 1.5, 1.0, 0.5, 0.25, 0) mMol/ L of heavy elements, nickel, lead and cadmium were used. Germination and length of shoot and root system, as well as the fresh and dry weights of shoot and root for Zea mays. The results showed that the high concentrations of nickel and cadmium elements caused a significant reduction in the percentages of germination compared to the element of lead. Also, the high concentrations of heavy elements caused a reduction in both the length of shoot and root, fresh and dry weights for them, and the effect of lead was less than that of nickel and cadmium elements for all treatments