Cadmium and Lead Toxicity in Maize (Zea mays L.): Effects on Growth and Root–Shoot Metal Accumulation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59436/ijpsr.v2i3.7.3139-342XKeywords:
cadmium; lead; maize; phytotoxicity; metal accumulation; root–shoot distribution; heavy-metal stressAbstract
Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) contamination can impair crop growth and promote metal accumulation in plant tissues. This pot experiment evaluated the effects of increasing Cd (150–900 µM) and Pb (150–1500 µM) concentrations on root length, shoot height, and root–shoot metal accumulation in maize (Zea mays L.). Plants were exposed to six concentrations of each metal plus an untreated control. Growth was assessed at 25, 40, and 60 days, and Cd and Pb concentrations in roots and shoots were quantified by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. At 60 days, Cd exposure reduced root length from 67.86 cm in the control to 11.87 cm at 900 µM and shoot height from 57.89 to 28.32 cm. Under Pb exposure, root length decreased from 28.21 cm in the control to 13.97 cm at 1500 µM, while shoot height decreased from 58.79 to 33.42 cm. Both metals accumulated predominantly in roots. The highest reported root Cd concentration was 116.32 mg/g dry weight at 750 µM Cd, whereas the highest root Pb concentration was 85.97 mg/g dry weight at 1200 µM Pb. At the highest treatment concentration, tissue metal concentrations declined relative to the preceding treatment, indicating that tissue accumulation was not strictly proportional to external concentration. Overall, the results demonstrate concentration-dependent phytotoxic responses and substantial root retention of Cd and Pb in maize.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Sapana Singhal, Komal Sharma (Author)
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