Effect of lead and cadmium on germination and seedling growth of Leucaena leucocephala

A study was conducted to determine the effect of different concentrations of lead and cadmium on seed germination and seedling growth of Leucaena leucocephala. Seed were grown under laboratory conditions at 25, 50, 75 and 100 ppm of metal ions of lead and cadmium. Both lead and cadmium treatments showed toxic effects on various growth indices of L. leucocephala. Increasing the concentration of lead to 75 ppm, significantly (p<0.05) decreased seed germination as compared to control. Seedling and root growth was significantly (p<0.05) reduced at 50 ppm treatment of lead. Seed germination and root length significantly (p<0.05) decreased at 50 ppm treatment of cadmium as compared to control. The seedling dry weight also significantly (p<0.05) reduced at 25 ppm treatment of lead and cadmium. Cadmium treatment at 100 ppm showed comparatively pronounced effects in L. leucocephala seedlings as compared to lead. The results of the study suggest that due to better metal tolerance indices there is a possibility of growing L. leucocephala in areas contaminated with lead and cadmium.