Influence of arsenate on seed and seedling growth of Triticum aestivum

Damaging effect of arsenate(V) was investigated on seed germination and seedling growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Experiment was conducted in Petri plates lined with filter papers moisturized with 3 mL of each of four concentrations of As(V) i.e. 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1 ppm and kept for 72 hours in a completely randomized design at 25 ± 2 °C in growth chambers. Increasing concentrations of As(V) significantly suppressed germination by 25-50%, length and dry weight of shoot by 50-95% and that of root by 60-96% over control. GI (germination index) and RGR (relative germination index) were significantly reduced while RAIR (relative arsenic injury rate) was significantly increased with increasing the concentrations of As(V). It was concluded that As(V) has potential to drastically reduce seed and seedling growth of wheat within concentration range of 0.25-1 ppm.