Lead, Zinc and Chromium Accumulation Effect on the Germination and Growth of Maize (Zea mays) Seedlings

Abstract

Population increase has significant impact on agricultural activities, over the past decades; introduction of many large Industries have serious consequences on environmental health. This can lead to dispensing pollutant in the environment. Some of the pollutants can affect crops in terms of germination and growth. Experimental plots of maize crop were established at Gombe State University (GSU) Botanical garden. The experiment started from 3^rd April- 3^th August, 2023 and laboratory analysis was conducted at biochemistry laboratory, Gombe State University (GSU). Plant height (cm), fresh roots weight (g), dry roots weight (g), fresh stems weight (g), dry stems weight (g), seeds weight (g), accumulated in roots (mg/l), accumulated in stems (mg/l), accumulated in leaves (mg/l) and accumulated in seed (mg/l) were amongst the morphological trait observed. The accumulation of heavy metals on various concentrations of Lead, Zinc and Chromium contributes to decreased and slightly increased in some growth of Maize (Zea mays) seedlings when compared with the control. However, Percentage of Maize germination under different concentration of Lead, Zinc and Chromium (25ppm, 50ppm, 75ppm and 100ppm with 0ppm as a control) varies, with increasing concentration. Similarly, germination and growth decreased with increasing concentration. Moreover, roots had the highest accumulation of heavy metals followed by stems, seeds while leaves showed lowest absorption of the metals. Finally, there was a strong relationship between plants (maize seedlings) growth and accumulation of heavy metals in the plants morphology. It shows that when concentrations of heavy metals are increasing, accumulations of the same metals are also increasing with decreased or slightly increased in plants morphological growth performance.