The influence of nickel sulphate on some physiological aspects of two cultivars of Raphanus Sativus L.

Abstract

In this study two cultivars of radish Raphanus sativus cv. longipinnatus (white radish) and Raphanus sativus cv. Cherry Belle (red radish) were treated with different concentrations of nickel sulphate (0.0-50-100-150-200 ppm). The fresh and dry weight of shoots and roots, photosynthetic pigments, some antioxidant enzymes, total carbohydrates, total proteins and the SDS-PAGE protein profile of both cultivars were determined after 32 days. The results showed that increasing nickel sulphate concentrations decreased the fresh and dry weights of the shoots and roots, photosynthetic pigments, total carbohydrates and total protein in both cultivars. Higher concentrations of nickel sulphate increased the activity of catalase, peroxidase and polypenol oxidase. Electrophoresis banding profiles of proteins revealed qualitative and quantitative changes, and also the appearance or disappearance of some bands of the two cultivars.