ANALYSIS OF EFFECTS OF LEAD AND IRON TREATMENT ON EARLY SEEDLING GROWTH OF ALBIZIA LEBBECK L. (BENTH.) AND EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS LABILL. IN VITRO STUDIES

Abstract

Pollution by heavy metals in the environment is a worldwide problem. The aim of the research study was to record the effect of lead (Pb) and iron (Fe) elements on early seedling growth of Albizia lebbeck L. (Benth.) and Eucalyptus globulus Labill. The obtained results showed that higher level of lead (Pb) and iron (Fe) elements treatment present in the substrate had wide a spectrum of toxicity activity against seedlings growth performance of A. lebbeck and E. globulus as compared to control in lab conditions. Statistically analyzed data showed that seedling growth of A. lebbeck and E. globulus were reduced significantly (p<0.05) with increased concentrations of Pb and Fe 5 to 20 ppm as compared control (0 ppm). The percentage of seedling tolerance index of A. lebbeck and E. globulus showed different level of iron and lead. A. lebbeck showed greater tolerance indices (61.19%) in the presence of Fe than Pb treatments (50.39%). It was also noted that tolerance indices of E. globulus was reduced more in Fe (41.19%) as compared to Pb treatments (55.32%).