Influence of Lead on In vitro Seed Germination and Early Radicle Development of Acacia auriculiformis Cunn. Ex Benth Species

ABSTRACT

Aims: To determine the impact of Pb on seed germination and early seedling development in A. auriculiformis species. Place and Duration of Study The study was carried out in Department of Biology, University Putra Malaysia, between April 2016 and February 2017. Methodology: The concentrations of lead from 0 to 4 g/L (interval of 0.5 g/L) were used. Seeds were germinated in vitro condition. Different parameters were measured including germination percentage, seedling vigour index, tolerance index, germination index, mean germination time and relative injury rate. Results: The noticeable finding of this study reveals that A. auriculiformis seeds have the ability to germination and resist Pb toxicity up to 1.5 g/L. Increasing Pb concentration from 1.5 to 3.5 g/L decreased the germination percentage from 57% to 4% respectively. Conclusion: Acacia auriculiformis seeds germination in a high level of Pb (up to 1.5 g/L) indicated species resistance which probably can be used as Pb hyperaccumulator agent in areas or sites contaminated with this metal.