PLANT GROWTH, BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND HEAVY METALS CONTENTS OF MEDICAGO SATIVA L., BRASSICA JUNCEA (L.) CZERN. AND CICER ARIETINUM L.

Abstract

The present research was conducted to study heavy metal accumulation and other physiological and biochemical parameters in three different field crops i.e. Alfalfa, Brassica juncea and Chickpea. The samples were collected from the field-grown crops at Malakandher Research Farm of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Agricultural University Peshawar. Plant materials were analyzed for different physiological and biochemical parameters along with the determination of heavy metal accumulation by the collected samples of Medicago sativa L. Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. and Cicer arietinum L. . The data revealed that maximum plant fresh weight was recorded by Chickpea while minimum plant fresh weight was noted for Brassica juncea. Maximum plant dry weight was noted for Alfalfa and minimum plant dry weight was produced by Chickpea.  Higher concentration of proline was noted in Brassica juncea while Chickpea produced lowest proline concentration. Maximum DNA concentration was noted in Chickpea while minimum DNA concentration was noted in Chickpea.  Chickpea had the highest DNA purity. Minimum DNA purity was noted in Brassica juncea.  Highest concentration protein was recorded by Brassica juncea while lowest protein concentration was noted for Chickpea. The data also showed that Chickpea recorded maximum Cd concentration. Minimum Cd concentration was noted in Alfalfa. Highest concentration of Cr was noted in Chickpea. Minimum Cr concentration was recorded by Alfalfa. Maximum levels of Pb was accumulated by Chickpea. Minimum levels of Pb were noted in Brassica juncea.