Influence of zinc (zn) on germination of wheat (triticum aestivum l.)

Abstract

The paper presents the results of research of negative effects of zinc (Zn) on seed germination of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Besides the impact on the percentage of germination, the toxic effect on some morphometric characteristics was followed, too. Ripe seeds of wheat were exposed in standard laboratory conditions to the influence of zinc, in form of zinc chloride (ZnCl2), at different values of concentration. For each value of concentration it was determined the percentage of germinationed seeds, as well as the length of root and shoot. It as found the value of the concentration of ZnCl2, which inhibited completely germination of wheat. The mean values of the length of root and shoot for each concentration were compared with values obtained for the control group of seeds, which were not treated with ZnCl2. In addition to causing of inhibition of seed germination, the presence of zinc in the medium affects disorder of the physiological—biochemical processes during the growth and development of vegetative organs that it indicates the difference in the length of the root and shoot of treated seeds in relation to the control group of untreated seeds. © 2010 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.