The Effect of Lead stress on Nutrients uptake and physiological behavior of two varieties of Vicia faba L.

Abstract

Lead is among the most widespread toxic elements in the different compartments of the environment, it threatens all life forms and it degrades the quality of life. In plants it has no physiological role, its presence causes multiple damage at different levels. To investigate the effect of lead on mineral nutrition and the physiological behavior of the bean, two varieties of faba bean (Sidi Aïch and Super Aguadulce) are exposed to different doses of lead dinitrate Pb(NO3)2 (50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 and 2000 ppm), the parameters tested are the content of Na, Ca, and K, the content of chlorophyll pigments, proline and soluble sugars, and dry weight.

The accumulation of lead in plants is accompanied by a reduction in chlorophyll content, a reduction in dry weight and a reduction in the nutrient content (Ca2+, Na+ and K+), Proline and soluble sugars are increased depending on the extent of lead in the medium. The presence of lead in the medium is source of multiple disturbances, particularly on the physiological functioning and mineral content of the plants.