Abstract
The presence of heavy metals in soils can lead to contamination, followed by numerous unfavorable impacts on plants. In the present work, the effects of different concentrations (0, 50, 250, 450, 650, and 850 mM) of Aluminum (Al), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), and Lead (Pb) were evaluated on seed sprouting and seedling development of two plant ecotypes, Lizan and Pahleh, of the Scrophularia striata species. The results showed that among different chemicals and different concentrations, the Lizan ecotype showed more tolerance to toxicity than the Pahleh ecotype. In this regard, maximum root length (0.27) and GI (4.28) were observed under 250 mM CuSO4 in the Lizan ecotype while maximum CVG (34.33) was observed in the Pahleh ecotype. Regarding the AlCl3 response, the two ecotypes performed differently. Seven parameters were measured (i.e. fresh weight (0.03), stem length (1.47), seedling length (4.52), UNC (3.11), GRS (51.33), MGR (0.14) and GRI (78.48)). Maximum values were observed in the Lizan ecotype, whereas just one parameter, GSP, showed its maximum value (13.39) in the Pahleh ecotype, compared to its counterpart in the control group. Under Zn exposure, TSG (5.67), TGI (7.27), and FGP (80) had maximum values in the Lizan ecotype, whereas no parameter had a higher value in the Pahleh ecotype in comparison with its control counterpart. Concerning PCA analysis, the first two components revealed 75% of the variance in germination and seedling growth indices. The first component (50% variance) positively correlated with GRI, GRS, GRP, VGT, FGP, TGI, MGR, GSP, UNC, SDG, and CVG indices, whereas the second component (25% variance) correlated positively with GI and TSG, while also corresponding generally with germinability. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images were obtained from the seeds of the two ecotypes and showed significant variations that probably contribute to the degree of plant tolerance to different chemicals and concentrations. Variations in chemicals and their levels demonstrated different responses and capacities for tolerance in and among the two ecotypes, Lizan and Pahleh.
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