The ecotoxicological effects of Cr
2+ on germination and early seedling growth of six pulses were
investigated. Seeds of these plants were exposed to seven different concentrations of Cr (0-3.2 mM). The results
indicated that root elongation and coleoptile growth of six pulse plants were more sensitive than seed germination for
measurement of the toxic of Cr
2+ pollutions. Different species show different levels of tolerance to Cr
2+ pollution.
Lablab purpureus
and
Glycine max
are the most sensitive to Cr
2+, their germination percentage, root and coleoptile
length were significantly lower than other tested species, by contrast,
Lathyrus odoratus
and
Dumasia villosa
are the
most resist species, their germination and seedling growth almost were not influenced by Cr
2+ pollution significantly
comparing the control. There were significantly negatively correlations between seedling growth and increasing
concentration of Cr
2+ for
Glycine max,
Vigna radiate
and
Lablab purpureus
. The significantly negative correlations
between germination and increasing concentration of Cr
2+ were shown for
Glycine max,
Vigna radiate and
V. angularis.
