Comparative Analysis of Triticum aestivum L. (Poaceae, Poales) and Pisum sativum L. (Fabaceae, Fabales) Resistance to Heavy Metals

Abstract

Heavy metals are most common soil pollutants, including agricultural land. At the same time, the level of heavy metal pollution can significantly exceed the standards. Pea (Pisum sativum L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) are most important crops. At the same time, no comparative analysis of their resistance to high concentrations of heavy metals has been carried out. In connection with this, the resistance of T. aestivum and P. sativum seedlings to the chronic effects of lead and copper salts in the range of lethal concentrations for T. aestivum was comparatively evaluated (0.15, 0.30 and 0.60 g/L of copper sulfate; 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 g/L of lead nitrate) in experimental conditions. All studied concentrations of the toxicants caused a decrease in seed germination of T. aestivum relative to the control by 19–38% and 23–58% when exposed to lead nitrate and copper sulphate, respectively, which indicated the manifestation of lethal effects. All studied concentrations of both toxicants caused a significant reduction in the root system length (from 69% to 25 times) and shoot height (by 25–76%) as compared with the control level in T. aestuvum seedlings, and also led to an increase in the intensity of lipid peroxidation in seedling shoots, indicating the development of a stress reaction. At the same time, the studied concentrations of heavy metal salts, which were lethal for T. aestivum, did not cause almost any disturbances of the studied parameters in P. sativum, except for a decrease in the root system length after lead nitrate exposure. Thus, seed germination, growth processes of the root system and shoot, as well as peroxide homeostasis in P. sativum seedlings were much more resistant to the studied concentrations of lead nitrate and copper sulfate as compared with these parameters of T. aestivum.