Effect of some Transition Metals and Selenium on germination of Eruca sativa Seeds

Abstract

The effect of some transition metals, Nickel, Copper, Zinc and Selenium elements on Eruca sativa seeds germination was studied. Concentration (1, 10, 100, 500, 1000) ppm in sterile distilled water were used to cover the natural concentrations and the concentrations in polluted environments. Germination was recorded after 5 days. Results showed that there were inverse relationships between the number of germinated seeds and increasing in concentration of elements. The effect was mainly due to the elements, while the pH effect was very low and not exceeds 7 % except for Zinc solution which was about 50%. The correlation coefficient between germination and concentration were with negative values, it was for Nickel element -0.842, Copper -0.965, Zinc -0.928 and for Selenium -0.603. The values were statically significant except for selenium. According to the obtained results the elements can be ranked Nickel the less effect < Copper < Zinc < Selenium.