Effects of lead and methyl jasmonate on Radish (Raphanus sativus L.)

Heavy metals are the most important pollutants in the environment. The productiion of toxic metals by human activities has lead to the contamination of soil. The presence of these metals in the soil and their accumulation in plants grown on these soils will have adverse effects on humans and animals. One approach to reduce the accumulation of heavy metals in plants is using of plant hormones. This study was designed to investigate the effects of methyl jasmonate on accumulation of lead on radish (Raphanus sativus L.) in hydroponic conditions. Lead sulfate with four different concentrations (0،250،500 and 750 mg/ L) and methyl jasmonate with three concentrations (0، 0. 01 and 0. 1 mM) were used. The experiment was conducted as factorial in a completely randomized design with three replications. The contents of chlorophyll a and b، proline and Pb accumulation in shoots and roots of plants were measured. The results showed that the lead reduced chlorophyll content and this reduction with 0. 01 mM methyl jasmonate treatment was compensated. In addition، lead and methyl jasmonate significantly increased proline content. As a result، it can be concluded that radish is probably prone to accumulate heavy metals like lead in the edible parts and this toxicity can be reduced by using appropriate concentrations of methyl jasmonate.