Effects of Some Heavy Metals on Germination and Seedling Growth of Sorghum

Heavy metal contamination in soils can adversely affect seed germination and seedling growth of most plants. This research was conducted to determine the effects of different doses (0, 100, 200, 400 and 800 mg L-1) of Ni (nickel), Cd (cadmium), Pb (lead), Cr (chromium) and Hg (mercury) on seed germination and seedling growth of sorghum. The study was conducted in laboratory conditions at the Agricultural Faculty of Akdeniz University in 2017. Sorghum cv. N48xEarly Sumac was used as the plant material. In the research, germination rate (GR), relative germination index (RGI), mean germination time (MGT), relative vigor index (RVI), relative root length (RRL), relative shoot length (RSL), root fresh weight (RFW) and shoot fresh weight (SFW) were measured during germination and seedling growth to determine the effects of heavy metals. The results showed that both germination and seedling growth properties were adversely affected by heavy metals. In addition, while the negative effect of cadmium on germination properties was limited, it had serious negative effects on seedling characteristics of sorghum. Increasing heavy metal doses adversely affected all investigated properties. In conclusion, all heavy metals including Hg and Cd had negative effect on germination and seedling growth of sorghum in the study.