Effects of different concentrations of heavy metals application on germination indices and seed vigor of Pinto bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Heavy metals of biosphere rise since the beginning industrial revolution and the toxicity of heavy metals cause to impair in the process of germination and growth of plants. In order to evaluate the effects of heavy metals on the germination of pinto bean (cv. Sadri) an experiment was conducted at Seed Technology Laboratory of Yasouj University in 2013. The experiment was conducted as CRD in five replications include different concentration of Cd(NO3)2, Pb(NO3)2, Ni(NO3)2 and CuSO4 (25, 50, 75 and 100 mg/l) and a control treatment. Germination characteristics include the rate and percentage of germination, seedling weight and length and seed vigor index were studied .Results showed that the highest rate and percentage of germination was belonged to control, and least in the 100 mg/l of Pb(NO3)2. With the increase in concentrations of Pb, percentage and rate of germination and root and shoot dry weight showed a downward trend. 100 mg/l concentration of Cadmium nitrate decreased the rate germination of pinto bean seeds in compare with control. Increasing the concentration of cadmium impairs the growth of seedling root; shoot and vigor index of bean. Toxic concentration of copper compared to nickel had more negative effect on germination, root and shoot length, root and shoot dry weight and seedling vigor. In general, the results of this study showed that cadmium and Pb may give to plants allows germination, but increased in their concentration impaired the some seed germination indices of pinto been seed.