Journal of Environmental Biology

Influence of lead on growth and nutrient accumulation

in canola (Brassica napus L.) cultivars

Author Details

Muhammad Yasin Ashraf

(Corresponding author)

Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology, P.O. Box 128, Jhang Road, Faisalabad - 38000,

Pakistan

e-mail: niabmyashraf@gmail.com

Nazila Azhar

Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad - 38040, Pakistan

Muhammad Ashraf

Second affiliation: King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Mumtaz Hussain

Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad - 38040, Pakistan

Muhammad Arshad^?

Cholistan Institute of Desert Studies, Islamiya University, Bahawalpur - 63000, Pakistan

Publication Data

Paper received:

05 April 2010

Revised received:

02 October 2010

Accepted:

20 November 2010

Abstract

Canola (Brassica napus L.) is commonly used as a hyper-accumulator for phytoextraction of heavy metals from soil and water. Like many other heavy metals, lead (Pb) contaminates soil, water and air and thus it is a great problem. This study was conducted to investigate toxic effects of Pb on growth and nutrient uptake in four canola cultivars. Each of four cultivars of canola (Con-II, Con-III, Legend and Shiralee) was subjected to four levels of Pb (0, 30, 60 and 90 mg Pb kg^-1 of soil) from lead chloride [PbCl₂]. Due to Pb toxicity, plant growth was adversely affected and relatively a severe reduction in root biomass (45.7%) was recorded. The Pb accumulation increased both in shoot and root, the highest being in root. The uptake of different nutrients, i.e., N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu and Mn was reduced (38.4, 32.8, 33.1, 49.6, 7.78, 52.0, 42.6 and 45.9%, respectively) in the shoots and that of N, Fe, Zn, and Cu in the roots (48.5, 33.2, 24.3 and 44.8%, respectively) of all canola cultivars. The root K, P, Zn and Mn and shoot P, Mg and Fe contents were less affected, the concentration of Pb, Ca and Mg in roots of all cultivars. Among canola cultivars Con-II and Con-III performed better than Legend and Shiralee in terms of growth (26.03%) and nutrient accumulation. Overall, plant growth and nutrient accumulation in the canola cultivars was hampered due to the presence of Pb.

Key words

Lead toxicity, Growth analysis, Nutrient uptake, Canola

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