Effect of sodium fluoride on germination, seedling growth and photosynthetic pigments in Cicer Arietinum L. and Hordeum Vulgare L.

Abstract

Fluoride is a toxic substance present in air, water and soil and Industrial growth as well as human activities are responsible for increasing its level in the environment that which inhibit the plant growth and productivity. In view of this, present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of sodium fluoride (NaF) on germination, seedling growth and photosynthetic pigments in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) using 0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 mM NaF concentrations. At the end of 9 days treatment period, reduction in germination parameters (i.e. germination %, emergence %, emergence rate and vigor index) were found more pronounced in Chickpea as compared to Barley. Same trend was also observed for mobilization efficiency (ME) which decreased in Chickpea seedlings at higher concentrations. During early seedling growth, the root and shoot length, and biomass of Chickpea seedlings were compromised with increasing NaF level. However, in contrast to Chickpea, root and shoot length of Barley seedling were stimulated at 1.0 mM NaF concentration and 1.0 and 2.5 mM NaF stimulated root and shoot biomass too in barley cultivar. Higher NaF levels turned inhibitory to length and biomass of root and shoot tissues in both the crops. Comparison of photosynthetic pigments in Chickpea revealed increase in total chlorophyll, Chlorophyll a and b and carotenoids at 1.0 mM and 2.5 mM over control while, the synthesis of all these pigments were reduced in case of Barley with increasing NaF concentrations. This study revealed Chickpea to be more susceptible to the toxic nature of fluoride (F) than Barley during germination and seedling stage.–