Effect of lead contamination of maize seed on its biological properties

Effect of treatment of seed with various lead concentrations (0, 10-5, 10-4, 10-3, and 10-2 mol/dm3) on accumulation and distribution of lead (Pb) in seedling, seed germination, seedling growth, and mobilization of mineral matter during seed germination was investigated. Content of Pb in the root and the shoot indicates that seeds imbibed in solutions of various Pb concentrations took up Pb intensively. Content of Pb in the root and the shoot increased with increase of Pb concentration and it was much larger in the root than in the shoot. Contrary to this, the accumulation coefficient was greater in the shoot than in the root. Treatment of seed with Pb did not significantly affect its biological properties. Increase of Pb concentration decreased germination ability, germination energy, and percentage of typical seedlings, while increasing the number of atypical seedlings and non-germinated seeds. Contamination of seed by Pb did not affect the dry matter mass and the growth of young plants shoots, while the length of the primary root, the mesocotyl root as well as the root mass at the highest Pb concentration, significantly decreased. Translocation of mobilized mineral matter from the seed during germination and growth of young plants into the root and shoot was specific, depending on elements. Only the implementation of the highest implemented Pb concentration affected mobilization and translocation of some elements. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that maize is characterized by significant tolerance to Pb contamination during seed germination and growth of seedlings.