Effects of Arsenate and Arsenite on Germination and Some Physiological Attributes of Barley Hordeum vulgare L.

Arsenic (As) is toxic to plants and animals. We tested the effects of arsenite and arsenate (0–16 mg/L) on seed germination, and on relative root and shoot length, α-amylase activity, reducing sugars and soluble total protein contents, and malondialdehyde content in barley seedlings. We also measured As accumulation in barley stems and roots. The α-amylase activity, relative root and shoot length, and seed germination decreased with increasing concentrations of arsenate and arsenite. The reducing sugars content in barley seedlings increased after 4 days of growth on media containing As. In general, the protein content in roots and seedlings decreased with increasing doses of As. Arsenic in the tissues was quantified by hydride generation–atomic absorption spectrophotometry. To confirm the accuracy of the method, we analyzed the certified reference material WEPAL-IPE-168. The limit of detection was 1.2 μg/L and the relative standard deviation was <2.0 %.