A study was conducted to determine the effect of different concentrations of lead and cadmium on
seed germination and seedling growth of
Leucaena
leucocephala
. Seed were grown under laboratory conditions at
25, 50, 75 and 100 ppm of metal ions of lead and cadmium. Both lead and cadmium treatments showed toxic effects
on various growth indices of
L. leucocephala. Increasing the concentration of lead to 75 ppm, significantly (p<0.05)
decreased seed germination as compared to control. Seedling and root growth was significantly (p<0.05) reduced at
50 ppm treatment of lead. Seed germination and root length significantly (p<0.05) decreased at 50 ppm treatment of
cadmium as compared to control. The seedling dry weight also significantly (p<0.05) reduced at 25 ppm treatment of
lead and cadmium. Cadmium treatment at 100 ppm showed comparatively pronounced effects in
L. leucocephala
seedlings as compared to lead. The results of the study suggest that due to better metal tolerance indices there is a
possibility of growing
L. leucocephala in areas contaminated with lead and cadmium.
