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In this study, the effect of Cd on the germination, growth of seedlings and composition of plants deriving from contaminated grains, grown in the field, was ex­amined. Wheat grains were soaked in Cd-containing solutions: 0 (control, deionized water), 10-5, 10-4, 10-3, and 10-2 M CdCl2 during 24h. One portion of grains was used to test germi­nation and seedling growth, while the other was sown in the field. The concentration of Cd in the grains almost linearly increased with the increase in the applied concentrations of Cd, which reduced the germination and energy of germination and increased the proportion of atypical seedlings. Larger concentrations of Cd significantly impaired the growth of seedlings (length of the shoots and roots, dry matter mass). In the grains of the field-grown plants the concentrations of N, P, and K were not affected by Cd, but their concentrations in the straw declined (especially of N). These results suggest that the emergence and development of plants on the soil polluted by Cd are likely to be significantly limited and yield reduced. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. TR 31016]

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.

Effect of different concentrations of nickel (0, 10-5, 10-4, 10-3 and 10-2 mol Ni/dm3) present at the time of maize seed imbibition, on concentration, distribution and nickel accumulation coefficient in the root and the shoot, biological value of the seed and growth of young plants was investigated. It was found that during germination the nickel from the seed is intensively translocated to the root and shoot of young plants. With increase of applied concentrations of nickel, its concentration in the root and shoot increased as well. Nickel concentration and accumulation coefficient were higher in the root than in the shoot except at the highest applied concentration when the result was opposite. The highest applied concentration of nickel increased percentage of atypical seedlings and non-germinated seeds and decreased percentage of typical seedlings, germination energy and seed germination ability. Nickel implementation did not affect the growth and mass of the shoot. Root mass and length of the primary root decreased at the highest concentration of nickel, which led to change in shoot and root mass ratio. Based on the obtained results it can be concluded that only the highest applied nickel concentration affected the biological value of the seed and the growth of young maize plants, regardless of its intensive accumulation in the root and the shoot, which indicates a significant tolerance of maize in initial phases of growth to presence of high nickel concentration. Intensive translocation of nickel during germination into newly formed organs points to its good mobility and potential possibility to enter the food chain from a contaminated seed.

Effect of different concentrations of nickel (0, 10-5, 10-4, 10-3 and 10-2 mol Ni/dm³) present at the time of maize seed imbibition, on concentration, distribution and nickel accumulation coefficient in the root and the shoot, biological value of the seed and growth of young plants was investigated. It was found that during germination the nickel from the seed is intensively translocated to the root and shoot of young plants. With increase of applied concentrations of nickel, its concentration in the root and shoot increased as well. Nickel concentration and accumulation coefficient were higher in the root than in the shoot except at the highest applied concentration when the result was opposite. The highest applied concentration of nickel increased percentage of atypical seedlings and non-germinated seeds and decreased percentage of typical seedlings, germination energy and seed germination ability. Nickel implementation did not affect the growth and mass of the shoot. Root mass and length of the primary root decreased at the highest concentration of nickel, which led to change in shoot and root mass ratio. Based on the obtained results it can be concluded that only the highest applied nickel concentration affected the biological value of the seed and the growth of young maize plants, regardless of its intensive accumulation in the root and the shoot, which indicates a significant tolerance of maize in initial phases of growth to presence of high nickel concentration. Intensive translocation of nickel during germination into newly formed organs points to its good mobility and potential possibility to enter the food chain from a contaminated seed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]