Influence of lead on the development of lupin seedlings and ultrastructural localization of this metal in the roots

Abstract

The effect of lead on the early phases of development of yellow lupin seedlings was investigated. In the presence of this metal the number of germinating seeds was found to diminish distinctly, the hypocotyls and roots were shorter and the fresh weight and anthocyanin content in the cotyledones were markedly decreased. In the root cap cells lead was present in the vacuoles, ER, dictyosomes, the nuclear envelope and cell walls.