Open Access

Effects of Heavy Metal Stress on in vitro Germination and Seedling Growth of Parsley

Sivas Bilim ve Teknoloji Üniversitesi, Tarım Bilimleri ve Teknoloji Fakültesi, Tarla Bitkileri Bölümü, Sivas

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different heavy metals (nickel [Ni], copper [Cu], cadmium [Cd], and lead [Pb]) on the early development of Petroselinum crispum (parsley), which is grown in open fields and has a high risk of exposure to heavy metal pollution under in vitro conditions. Heavy metal stress was induced in Murashige-Skoog (MS) nutrient medium at three different concentrations of 100, 300, and 500 μM for each metal. Multidimensional parameters such as germination rate, shoot and root length, fresh and dry biomass values, seedling growth indices (I and II), dry weight root:shoot ratio, tolerance indices, and relative germination were evaluated. Overall, the findings demonstrated a dose-dependent suppression of plant growth with increasing concentrations. Germination rates were 89.50 % and 90.00 % in the control and Ni-100 treatments, respectively, whereas they decreased to 28.67 % and 32.00 % in the Pb-500 and Cd-500 treatments, respectively. In addition, the root length tolerance index was determined as 13.62 % in Cd-500 and 16.62 % in Pb-500. Cd and Pb were the metals that most strongly suppressed germination and root development at high doses. Cu and Ni, however, showed relatively more tolerable effects at lower doses. In conclusion, this study, conducted under in vitro stress conditions, comparatively revealed the sensitivity levels of parsley plants to heavy metal toxicity.

Keywords

How to Cite

KARA, E. (2026). Effects of Heavy Metal Stress on in vitro Germination and Seedling Growth of Parsley. ISPEC Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 10(2), 631–642. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20568509

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