Journal of Environmental Biology

Zinc and copper induced changes in physiological

characteristics of Vigna mungo (L.)

Author Details

Radha Solanki

Environmental Bioremediation Laboratory, Department of Environmental Sciences, M.D.University,

Rohtak - 124 001, India

Anju

Environmental Bioremediation Laboratory, Department of Environmental Sciences, M.D.University,

Rohtak - 124 001, India

Poonam

Environmental Bioremediation Laboratory, Department of Environmental Sciences, M.D.University,

Rohtak - 124 001, India

R. Dhankhar

(Corresponding author)

Environmental Bioremediation Laboratory, Department of Environmental Sciences, M.D.University,

Rohtak - 124 001, India

e-mail: dhankhar.r@rediffmail.com

Publication Data

Paper received:

27 May 2010

Revised received:

28 September 2010

Accepted:

20 November 2010

Abstract

The effect of deleterious concentration of zinc and copper provided either individually or in combination in the nutrient media was investigated in order to assess the effect of metal interaction in Vigna mungo (L.). Both metals showed negative effect and led to a marked decrease in seed germination (20%), seedling growth (91.7%) and nitrate reductase activity (85.7%) with the increase in metal concentrations. The present study also emphasizes on the response of catalase and peroxidase enzyme under zinc and copper stress. Both antioxidant enzymes exhibited an increasing trend under different treatment conditions but it was reverse at highly toxic metal concentration. The results showed active involvement of peroxidase enzyme in regulating oxidative stress rather than catalase enzyme, as the specific activity of peroxidase enzyme got increased by 8.94% under the combined metals stress whereas catalase activity got declined by 60.97% in comparison to control due to excessive stress. The combined effect of copper and zinc metal was more pronounced in comparison to their individual effects.

Key words

Heavy metal stress, Seedling growth, Nitrate reductase, Catalase, Peroxidase

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