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Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

Table 10.2. Effects of toxic metals on plants growth and development.

Toxic Metals

Plants

Impacts on Plant

References

As

Rice (Oryza Sativa)

Smaller leaves, decreased germination capacity and

lower seedling height.

Abedin et al.

2002,

Okereafor et al.

2020

Tomatoes (Lycopersicon

esculentum)

Drop in fruit yield and lower yield of fresh leaves.

Canola oil (Brassica napus)

Restricted growth, chlorosis and wilting.

Cd

Wheat (Triticum sp.)

Lower seed germination capacity, low nutritional

value of plant.

Wang et al. 2007,

Yourtchi and

Bayat 2013

Garlic (Allium sativum)

Lower shoot induction, Cadmium build-up.

Maize (Zea mays)

Lower root and shoot induction.

Co

Tomato (Lycopersicon

esculentum)

Reduced abstraction of nutrition from plants.

Jayakumar

et al. 2007, 2008,

Okereafor et al.

2020

Mung Bean (Vigna radiata)

A decrease in the antioxidant quality of the plant,

as well as loss of carbohydrates, sugar, amino acids

and protein content.

Radish (Raphanus sativus)

Reduced root and shoot induction, as well as

decreased leaf area, also a decrease in antioxidant

enzyme activity, chlorophyll content, sugars, starch,

amino acids and protein content.

Cr

Wheat (Triticum sp.)

Root and shoot development stunted.

Ray 2017,

Okereafor et al.

2020

Tomato (Lycopersicon

esculentum)

Plant nutrient acquisition reduced.

Onion (Allium cepa)

Germination inhibition, as well as a decrease in

plant biomass.

Cu

Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Build-up of Cu in plant results in malformation and

reduction in roots length.

Sheldon and

Menzies 2005,

Okereafor et al.

2020

Black bindweed

(Polygonum convolvulus)

Increased plant mortality, decreased production of

plant biomass and seeds.

Rhode grass (Chloris

gayana)

Root growth slowed.

Hg

Rice (Oryza sativa)

Deprived shoot induction, reduction in flowering

capacity, lower yield of biomass production,

enhanced bioaccumulation.

Du et al. 2005,

Shekar et al. 2011

Tomato (Lycopersicon

esculentum)

Lower germination capacity, attenuated shoot

growth, decrease in the percentage of germination,

reduced plant height, decreased fruit weight,

chlorosis.

Mn

Broad bean (Vicia faba)

Chlorosis due to manganese build-up in the shoot

and root.

Doncheva et al.

2005,

Asrar et al. 2005,

Arya and Roy,

2011

Spearmint (Mentha spicata)

Decrease in the amount of chlorophyll and

carotenoid.

Pea (Pisum sativum)

Decreased relative growth rate and photosynthetic

activity.

Tomato (Lycopersicon

esculentum)

Slower plant development; decreased chlorophyll

content.

Ni

Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan)

Inhibition in photosynthesis, decreased enzyme

activity affecting the Calvin cycle and CO2 fixation.

Okereafor et al.

2020

Rye grass (Lolium perenne)

Reduced nutrient uptake by the plant, decreased

shoot production, chlorosis.

Wheat (Triticum sp.)

Plant nutrient uptake is reduced.

Rice (Oryza sativa)

Root growth is slowed