Phytotoxicity of Chromium on Germination, Growth and Biochemical Attributes of Hibiscus esculentus L.

Hira Amin, Basir Ahmed Arain, Farah Amin, Muhammad Ali Surhio

Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan.
National Center of Excellence in Analytical Chemistry, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan.

DOI: 10.4236/ajps.2013.412302                

Abstract

Chromium is found in all phases of the environment, including air, water and soil. The contamination of environment by chromium has become a major area of concern. Chromium effluent is highly toxic to plant and is harmful to their growth and development. In present study, a pot experiment was carried out to assess the phytotoxicity of chromium in Hibiscus esculentus at different concentration (0.5, 2.5, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 mg·kg^-1) of chromium metal. The phytotoxic effect of chromium was observed on seed germination, seedling growth, seedling vigor index, chlorophyll content and tolerance indices of Hibiscus esculentus. All results when compared with control show that chromium metal adversely affects the growth of Hibiscus esculentus by reducing seed germination and decreasing seedling growth. The toxic effects of chromium metal to seed germination and young seedling are arranged in order of inhibition as: 0.5 > 2.5 > 5 > 10 > 25 > 50 > 100 mg·kg^-1 respectively. The toxicity of chromium metal to young seedling and their effects on chlorophyll content were increased with higher concentration of chromium in the soil system. The major inhibitory effect of chromium in Hibiscus esculentus seedling was determined as stress tolerance index (%). The present study represents that the seed and seedling of Hibiscus esculentus has potential to counteract the deleterious effects of chromium metal in soil.

Keywords

Chromium; Phytotoxicity; Hibiscus esculentus; Germination; Growth; Biochemical Attributes

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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