ASSISTED AND NATURAL POTENTIAL OF HEAVY ACCUMULATION IN PENNISETUM GLAUCUM (L.) R. BR.

Pollution is the ultimate outcome of the rapid global development of mankind. Development and utilization of a safer remedial technology for degrading the pollutants, preventing future pollution and restoring the contaminated sites is the preferred research interest for the scientists. The current research investigate the potentials of Pennisetum glaucum (Pearl millet Var Bajra Super-1) for the three most commonly found and toxic heavy metals (Pb, Cr and Cd) in presence and absence of EDTA as chelating agent. The effect of these heavy metals at three different concentrations was studied on plant growth and heavy metal accumulation in the shoot tissue of Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. Significant differences were observed for shoot length when exposed to heavy metals. Control plants attained maximum shoot length (18.22 cm). Heavy metal produced no effect both on shoot fresh and dry weight. Plant growth response to EDTA was also not deleterious (p> 0.05). Heavy metal accumulation levels increased with the increasing concentration of each of heavy metal. Maximum accumulation was noted for Pb (2.95mg kg(-)1()) at 200 mg kg(-1) eight weeks after sowing while minimum 0.22 mg kg(-1) was observed noted for Cd concentration at 25 mg kg(-1) six weeks after sowing. Moreover, EDTA application enhanced the metal uptake by plant and maintained maximum accumulation as compared to non EDTA treated plants, eight weeks after sowing. Pennisetum glaucum accumulated heavy metals in order as Pb>Cr>Cd.