The effect of lead on the photoelectric reaction of Zea mays L. plants

We investigate the correlation between the concentrations of lead (10−6–10−2 mol dm−3 PbCl2) in the external medium and photoelectric reaction of Zea mays L. plants. The experiments were carried out on 8–10-day-old maize plants (Zea mays L. var. K33×F2) with the use of conventional electrophysiological technique. The results suggest that in plants treated with lead ions the photoelectric reaction is significantly reduced. The pH variation of the incubation medium including the green fragments of leaves showed that lead ions caused inhibition of light-induced external acidification.