Range Management and Agroforestry
Year : 2011, Volume : 32, Issue : 1
First page : ( 52) Last page : ( 55)
Print ISSN : 0971-2070.

Effects of some heavy metals on in vitro pollen germination and pollen tube growth of Jatropha curcas

Acharya Somen*, Sharma D. K.¹, Joshi H. C.¹, Chakraborti M.2

¹Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi-110012, India

*Present address: Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR), DRDO, C/o 56 APO, Leh-Ladakh-901205, India

²Present address: Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi, UP- 284003, India.

Corresponding author e-mail: someniari@gmail.com

Received:  9  December,  2010; Accepted:  1  June,  2011.

Abstract

Enhanced concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Zn, Cu, Hg and Pb) decreased pollen germination and pollen tube length in Jatropha curcas, but their toxicity levels varied. Pollen germination and pollen tube length were negatively affected at highest concentration of Hg (200 µM). Applications of Cd, Cr, Pb and Hg exhibited more toxic effects as compared to Zn and Cu.

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Keywords

Heavy metal stress, Jatropha curcas, Pollen germination, Pollen tube length.

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