Abstract
Seeds of thirteen edible plant species were tested for their response to heavy metals during their early development. It was found that a short-term root elongation test of six days could be used to evaluate the degree of toxicity of aqueous samples containing heavy metals. Shoot elongation was found to be less sensitive to metals than root elongation.
The seeds were sown in pots containing freshwater sand to which known concentrations of metal solutions were added. The relative toxicity of the three metals, copper, nickel and zinc, followed the pattern of Ni > Cu > Zn.
Results on the relative toxicity of Zn : Cu: Ni to various plant species indicated that the ratios were species-specific. The Zn equivalent concept of Zn : Cu : Ni = 1 : 2 : 8 could not be applied to all the plant species tested.
The root growth of seeds of Brassica parachinensis (flowering Chinese cabbage) placed on filter papers in petri dishes to which metal solutions were added were tested. The sensitivity ranking of the metals tested was found to be as follows: Ni > Cd > Cu > Al > Fe > Zn > Pb > Mn > Ag. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in percentage reduction in root elongation among the four different repeated trials.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adriano, D. C., A. C. Chang, P. E. Pralt & R. Sharpless, 1973. Effects of soil application of dairy manure on germination and emergence of some selected crops. J. envir. Qual. 2: 396–399.
Beckett, P. H. T. & R. D. Davies, 1978. The additivity of the toxic effects of Cu, Ni, and Zn in young barley. New Phytol. 81: 155–173.
Behera, B. K. & B. N. Misra, 1982. Analysis of the effect of industrial effluent on growth and development of rice seedlings. Envir. Res. 28: 10–20.
Chumbley, C. G., 1971. Permissible levels of toxic metals in sewage used on agricultural land. Agricultural Development and Advisory Service Advisory, Paper No. 10, Pinner, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. U.K. 12 pp.
Coker, E. G, R. D. Davis, J. E. Hall & C. H. Carlton-Smith, 1982. Field experiments on the use of consolidated sewage sludge for land reclamation effects on crop yield and composition and soil conditions, 1976–81. Technical Report: TR183. Stevenage, Water Research Centre. U.K. 83 pp.
Council for Agricultural Science and Technology, 1976. Application of sewage sludge to cropland appraisal of potential hazards of the heavy metals to plants and animals. Report PB-264 015. US Department of Commerce, National Technical Information Service. Springfield, U.S.A. 43 pp.
Davis, R. D. & C. H. Carlton-Smith, 1984. An investigation into the phytotoxicity of zinc, copper and nickel using sewage sludge of controlled metal content. Envir. Pollut. B8: 163–185.
Goodman, G. T., S. Smith, G. D. R. Parry & M. J. Inskil, 1974 (Abstract) The Use of Moss-bags as Deposition Guages for Airborne Metals. 41st Annual Conference of Natural Society of Clean Air, Oct. 1974. Cardiff, England.
Hunter, J. G. & O. Vergnano, 1952. Nickel toxicity in plants. Ann. appl. Biol. 34: 279.
Johnstons, N. B., P. H. T. Beckett & C. J. Waters, 1983. Limits of zinc and copper toxicity from digested sludge applied to agricultural land. In: Davies, R. D., Hucker, G. and Hermite, P. L. (eds.), Environmental Effects of Organic and Inorganic Contaminants in Sewage Sludge. pp. 75–81. Dordrecht, D. Reidel, The Netherlands.
Martin, M. H. & P. J. Coughtrey, 1982. Biological Monitoring of Heavy Metal Pollution. Applied Science Publishers, London. 478 pp.
OECD, 1981. OECD Guidelines for Testing of Chemicals. Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, Paris.
Wilkins, D., 1957. A technique for the measurement of lead tolerane in plants. Nature 180: 37.
Wollan, E., R. D. Davis & S. Jenner, 1978. Effects of sewage sludge on seed germination. Envir. Pollut. 17: 195–205.
Wong, M. H., 1985. Phytotoxicity of refuse compost during the process of maturation. Envir. Pollut A37: 159–174.
Wong, M. H. & A. D. Bradshaw, 1982. A comparison of toxicity of heavy metals by using root elongation of ryegrass, Lolium purenne. New Phytol. 91: 255–261.
Wong, M. H., & W. M. Lau, 1983. Effects of roadside soil extracts on seed germination and root elongation of edible crops. Environ. Pollut. A31: 203–215.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Cheung, Y.H., Wong, M.H. & Tam, N.F.Y. Root and shoot elongation as an assessment of heavy metal toxicity and ‘Zn Equivalent Value’ of edible crops. Hydrobiologia 188, 377–383 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00027803
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00027803