Study of the Effect of Lead (Heavy Metal) on the Growth of Brasicca Juncea’

‘Study of the Effect of Lead (heavy metal) on the Growth of Brasicca juncea’

Neha Haresh Ruchandani and D.Meena.S.Rao*
Dept. Of Botany, R. K. T. College, Ulhasnagar
*Dept. Of Botany, R. K. T. College, Ulhasnagar

A major environmental concern due to dispersal of industrial and urban wastes generated by human activities is the contamination of soil. Controlled and uncontrolled disposal of waste, accidental and process spillage, mining and smelting of metalliferous ores, sewage sludge application to agricultural soils are responsible for the migration of contaminants into non-contaminated sites as dust or leachate and contribute towards contamination of our ecosystem. The present study was undertaken to study the effect of heavy metals on the growth of Brasicca juncea and thereby its utilization for phytoremediation. The minimum amount of lead (0 mg/gm) was found in plant treated in 0 % concentration of lead acetate and maximum amount of lead (0.0011 mg/gm) was found in plant treated in (0.6%) concentration of lead acetate. The percentage germination for control, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 percent lead acetate treated seedling was 89%, 88%, 86.66% and 83% respectively. The length of shoot was found much less in plant treated in 0.6% concentration of lead acetate (10 cm), as compared to the length of shoot in plant treated with 0% concentration of lead acetate (8 cm). Length of roots was found maximum in 0.6% concentration of lead acetate (2 cm), as compared to the length of shoot in plant treated with 0% concentration of lead acetate (0.5 cm).

It was found that Brasica juncea tolerated highest concentration of heavy metals and can accumulate lead.
Key Words: leachate, heavy metals, lead, phytoremediation, Brasicca juncea.

Introduction
Heavy metal contamination of soil, water and air has caused serious environmental hazard in the biosphere due to rapid industrialization and urbanization. Lead is probably one of the most frequently encountered heavy metals in

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