Toxic effects of lead and cadmium on germination and seedling growth of Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth.

The effects of lead and cadmium on seed germination, seedling, root, shoot length and seedling dry biomass of Albizia lebbeck was evaluated under laboratory conditions with and without lead and cadmium treatments. Lead and cadmium treatments at 10, 30, 50, 70 and 90 µmol/L affected seed germination and seedling growth of A. lebbeck as compared to control. Lead treatments at 10, 30, 50, 70 and 90 µmol/L concentrations produced significant (p<0.05) effects on seed germination and seedling length of A. lebbeck while lead treatment at 50 µmol/L significantly affected root growth and seedling dry biomass as compared to control. Similarly, cadmium treatments from 10 to 90 µmol/L affected the seed germination, root, shoot length and seedling dry biomass of A. lebbeck as compared to control. Seedlings vigor index of A. lebbeck showed gradual decrease with increase in concentration of lead and cadmium. Cadmium treatments showed adverse effects on seedlings of A. lebbeck as compared to lead. Lead and cadmium treatments at 90 µmol/L exhibited lowest percentage of tolerance in seedlings of A. lebbeck as compared to control.