Abstract :
Biologically, Lead (Pb) is toxic and harmful metal which reduces the plant growth when increased in soil, even in very small quantity. Though lead is not an essential element for plants, it get easily absorbed and accumulated in different plant parts. An experiment was conducted to investigate the toxic effects of lead on the growth and yield of Rice (Oryza sativa L.). During the study rice seeds were grown in soil having lead in the concentration of 50 mg/Kg soil and, growth and yield was compared with those grown in soil without lead. It was observed that lead in 50 mg/kg soil concentration was deleterious for plant growth in all the stages. Root length, shoot length, their fresh weight and dry weight decreased in the soil having lead. Similarly number of spikelet and number of seed grain per plant were also lower in plants which were grown in soil treated with lead. The results confirm the harmful effect of lead on growth and development of rice.
Keyword :
Heavy metals, Lead, Oryza sativa L., growth