Impact of heavy metal toxicity to plant growth and nodulation in chickpea grown under heavy metal stress

Abstract

The present research work carried out to assess by different heavy metals like (Zn, Ni, Pb, Cd and Cr) through the intake of locally grown, cereal crops from wastewater irrigated site. Heavy metal concentrations were several fold higher in all the collected samples from wastewater irrigated site when results compared to control. A pot study was conducted to investigate the toxic effects of certain heavy metals on the plant growth, dry matter and nodulation of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Before the sowing, metal solution of different concentrations was added per pot. The plant growth and biomass production were adversely affected by heavy metals. Moreover, root nodulation was suppressed and number of nodules appreciably decreased. The study concludes among all the heavy metals tested, Cr proved to be the less toxic to the plants as resulting in the highest root and shoot length, dry matter, nodule number and nodule dry weight in the root. Heavy metal concentration effected in the order of Cd > Ni > Zn >Pb> Cr on chickpea plants.