Morphological
Response of Phaseolus vulgaris in presence of Mercury in Laboratory Conditions
Batham Manish, Sharma Jot and Singh Pragya
Res. J. Biotech.; Vol. 20(7); 14-18;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/207rjbt014018; (2025)
Abstract
Heavy metals are major environmental pollutant when they are present in high concentration
in soil. They have toxic effects on growth, nodulation and nitrogen fixation of
legumes and development of plants. Mercury stress triggers disturbances in cellular
structure and metabolism which is poorly understood. Therefore, responses on seedling
growth and other physical and chemical parameters of Phaseolus vulgaris to different
concentrations (0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1 mM) and control of mercury (Hg) salt solutions
were studied.
Morphological parameters like root and shoot length, dry weight, total leaf area
and biochemical constituents of plants were recorded. The successive growth deformities
in seedlings were recorded at lower concentration, but marginal and higher level
of Hg salt solution showed significant suppression. Most morphological and biochemical
characteristics showed concentration-dependent alterations, which may help to identify
appropriate bio-indicators of heavy metal contamination.
