Effects of Zinc Stress on Growth, Photosynthetic Pigments, Antioxidative Enzymes and Protein Content of Black Gram

Effects of Zinc Stress on Growth, Photosynthetic Pigments, Antioxidative Enzymes and Protein Content of Black Gram

The response of black gram (Vigna mungo L.) at different levels of Zn {i.e. control (0.065 ppm), low level (0.0065 ppm) and toxic level (6.5 ppm)} was investigated. Deficient and toxic levels of zinc suppressed the growth of black gram seedlings as compared to control. A significant reduction was seen in height & biomass of plant at toxic levels of zinc as compared to deficient. Also levels of photosynthetic pigments showed similar depreciation at toxic levels of applied Zn than deficient and control. Zinc deficiency and toxicity were associated with an increase in the activities of anti-oxidative enzymes such as catalase and peroxidase. Zinc stress ceased the concentration of DNA, RNA and protein content in young seedlings of black gram. Zinc toxicity proved to be more deleterious for black gram than zinc deficiency.