Effects of Three Nickel Salts on Germinating Seeds of Grevillea exul var. rubiginosa, an Endemic Serpentine Proteaceae

Abstract

Background and Aims Serpentine soils are usually quite infertile, arid and toxic, mainly because they contain high levels of heavy metals such as Ni. The aim of the present work was to assess the effects of Ni on the germinating seeds of Grevillea exul var. rubiginosa, an endemic serpentine Proteaceae of New Caledonia. In addition, the distribution of macronutrients and the Ni levels in germinating seeds were examined.