Fodder Turnip Research Articles

Multiomics analysis of a resistant European turnip ECD04 during clubroot infection reveals key hub genes underlying resistance mechanism

The clubroot disease has become a worldwide threat for crucifer crop production, due to its soil-borne nature and difficulty to eradicate completely from contaminated field. In this study we used an elite resistant European fodder turnip ECD04 and investigated its resistance mechanism using transcriptome, sRNA-seq, degradome and gene editing. A total of 1751 DEGs were identified from three time points after infection, among which 7 hub genes including XTH23 for cell wall assembly and two CPK28 genes in PTI pathways. On microRNA, we identified 17 DEMs and predicted 15 miRNA-target pairs (DEM-DEG). We validated two pairs (miR395-APS4 and miR160-ARF) by degradome sequencing. We investigated the miR395-APS4 pair by CRISPR-Cas9 mediated gene editing, the result showed that knocking-out APS4 could lead to elevated clubroot resistance in B. napus. In summary, the data acquired on transcriptional response and microRNA as well as target genes provide future direction especially gene candidates for genetic improvement of clubroot resistance on Brassica species.

R gene triplication confers European fodder turnip with improved clubroot resistance.

SummaryClubroot is one of the most important diseases for many important cruciferous vegetables and oilseed crops worldwide. Different clubroot resistance (CR) loci have been identified from only limited species in Brassica, making it difficult to compare and utilize these loci. European fodder turnip ECD04 is considered one of the most valuable resources for CR breeding. To explore the genetic and evolutionary basis of CR in ECD04, we sequenced the genome of ECD04 using de novo assembly and identified 978 candidate R genes. Subsequently, the 28 published CR loci were physically mapped to 15 loci in the ECD04 genome, including 62 candidate CR genes. Among them, two CR genes, CRA3.7.1 and CRA8.2.4, were functionally validated. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that CRA3.7.1 and CRA8.2.4 originated from a common ancestor before the whole‐genome triplication (WGT) event. In clubroot susceptible Brassica species, CR‐gene homologues were affected by transposable element (TE) insertion, resulting in the loss of CR function. It can be concluded that the current functional CR genes in Brassica rapa and non‐functional CR genes in other Brassica species were derived from a common ancestral gene before WGT. Finally, a hypothesis for CR gene evolution is proposed for further discussion.

Breeding value of leafy and root turnip samples from the VIR collection

Turnip, Brassica rapa L. subsp. rapa is the oldest vegetable crop in Russia. Turnip varieties are fastgrowing, productive, have valuable biochemical properties, cold-resistant, relatively easy to grow. To expand the vegetable assortment, new varieties and hybrids should be created, first of all, the types of varieties that are not in the State Register of Russia. The purpose of the work: using the data of a long-term study of the VIR collection to identify valuable material for breeding.Methods. Field study of 170 samples of the VIR collection was carried out in the NPB "Pushkin and Pavlovsk laboratories of VIR" (Leningrad region) in 2001-2020. Sowing was carried out on June 26- 28. Each sample was sown on a single-row plot 2 m long in three repetitions. As a control, turnip varieties included in the State Register were used – the variety of leaf turnip Sapphire, the table turnip variety Petrovskaya-1 and the fodder turnip variety Osterzundomsky. The description was carried out according to the Methodological Guidelines for the study and maintenance of the VIR world collection, with author's additions.Results. The best leaf turnip samples, found during the study has a large plant mass (up to 1.42±0.32 kg in the Early top F1 sample (k-366, Japan), many samples exceeded the Sapphire standard for this trait. Some of the samples of table turnips also exceed the Petrovskaya-1 standard by weight of the root (Purple top (k-1345, Nepal), Pekki (vr.2176, Finland)). Samples Solovetskaya (k-803, Russia, Murmansk region), Gul Findlandsk (vr.2175, Norway) have a bright yellow flash of the root, are easy to store and resistant to damage by cabbage flies. Among the turnip samples distinguished by yield (Table 5), the most interesting are the turnips Ova Dæhnfeldt (vr.2183, Denmark) and Korova (vr.2187, Sweden), which have yellow flesh and an increased content of β-carotene in roots.Conclusion. It was possible to identify new samples belonging to groups of leaf and root turnips, that are not represented on the seed and food market of Russia. Such samples belong to morphologically different forms, are productive, carry a complex of valuable economic and biochemical characteristics and are perspective material for inclusion in programs for the selection of leaf and root crops.

Identification and Fine-Mapping of Clubroot (Plasmodiophora brassicae) Resistant QTL in Brassica rapa

European fodder turnips (Brassica rapa ssp. rapifera) were identified as sources of clubroot resistance (CR) and have been widely used in Brassica resistance breeding. An F2 population derived from a cross between a resistant turnip and a susceptible Chinese cabbage was used to determine the inheritance and locating the resistance Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs). The parents showed to be very resistant/susceptible to the field isolates (pathotype 4) of clubroot from Henan in China. After inoculation, 27 very resistant or susceptible individuals were selected to construct bulks, respectively. Next-generation-sequencing-based Bulk Segregant Analysis Sequencing (BSA-Seq) was used and located resistance QTL on chromosome A03 (3.3–7.5 Mb) and A08 (0.01–6.5 Mb), named Bcr1 and Bcr2, respectively. Furthermore, an F3 population including 180 families derived from F2 individuals was phenotyped and used to verify and narrow candidate regions. Ten and seven Kompetitive Allele-Specific PCR (KASP) markers narrowed the target regions to 4.3–4.78 Mb (A03) and 0.02–0.79 Mb (A08), respectively. The phenotypic variation explained (PVE) of the two QTLs were 33.3% and 13.3% respectively. The two candidate regions contained 99 and 109 genes. In the A03 candidate region, there were three candidate R genes, namely Bra006630, Bra006631 and Bra006632. In the A08 candidate region, there were two candidate R genes, namely Bra030815 and Bra030846.

Allelic variation of a clubroot resistance gene (Crr1a) in Japanese cultivars of Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L.).

Clubroot resistance (CR) is an important trait in Chinese cabbage breeding worldwide. Although Crr1a, the gene responsible for clubroot-resistance, has been cloned and shown to encode the NLR protein, its allelic variation and molecular function remain unknown. Here, we investigated the sequence variation and function of three Crr1a alleles cloned from six CR F1 cultivars of Chinese cabbage. Gain-of-function analysis revealed that Crr1aKinami90_a isolated from the cv. ‘Kinami 90’ conferred clubroot resistance as observed for Crr1aG004. Because two susceptible alleles commonly lacked 172 amino acids in the C-terminal region, we investigated clubroot resistance in transgenic Arabidopsis harboring the chimeric Crr1a, in which 172 amino acids of the functional alleles were fused to the susceptible alleles. The fusion of the C-terminal region to the susceptible alleles restored resistance, indicating that their susceptibility was caused by the lack of the C-terminus. We developed DNA markers to detect the two functional Crr1a alleles, and demonstrated that the functional Crr1a alleles were frequently found in European fodder turnips, whereas they were rarely introduced into Japanese CR cultivars of Chinese cabbage. These results would contribute to CR breeding via marker-assisted selection and help our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying clubroot resistance.

The Effects of Different Forage Types on Feed Values and Digestibilities in Some Brassica Fodder Crops

This study was conducted to explore the effects of different forage types (fresh, hay and silage) on the chemical composition, forage quality and in vitro true digestibility (IVTD) of fodder turnip (Brassica rapa), fodder mustard (Brassica nigra) and canola (Brassica napus L.). Ankom Daisy incubator was used to determine the IVTD and forages were incubated for 48 hours. According to the findings of this study, canola silage and mustard silage have the highest ether extract (EE) content, while mustard silage has the highest crude protein (CP) content (P<0.001). It was found that, among the samples, turnip silage has the highest value in terms of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content; mustard grass, turnip grass and canola hay have higher values in terms of lignin content while mustard silage has the lowest lignin content. As a result, it was concluded that grass, hay and silage obtained from Brassica fodder crops could be used as alternative forage souces. However, use of Brassica silages is recommended in ruminant nutrition.

Study and evaluation of antimicrobial activity and antioxidant capacity of dry extract and fractions of leaves of Raphanus sativus var. oleiferus Metzg.

The radish (Raphanus sativus L.) is a vegetable of the Brassicaceae family cultivated worldwide and has several medicinal properties. Its biological activities are related to various secondary metabolites present in the species, especially phenolics. Thus, the objectives of this study were the chemical analysis and evaluation of the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the dry extract and fractions of the fodder turnip leaves (R. sativus var. oleiferus Metzg.). Samples were analyzed by mass spectrometry and the antioxidant activity was evaluated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical method and the reducing power method. Antimicrobial activity was determined by the agar diffusion and microdilution methods. The total phenols were concentrated in the butanol fraction (121.27 mg GAE/g) and the flavonoids were concentrated in the ethyl acetate fraction (98.02 mg EQ/g). The ethyl acetate fraction showed the best antioxidants results, with 83.45% of free radical scavenging and 11.34% of ferric ions reduction. The analysis of antimicrobial activity showed that the dry extract had the highest average zone of inhibition against Bacillus subtilis (18.67 mm). Smaller values of the minimum inhibitory concentration for Micrococcus luteus were, and the ethyl acetate fraction showed a lower minimum inhibitory concentration (0.1 mg/ml) for that microorganism. There was a strong correlation between the antioxidant activity and the content of phenols and flavonoids. The results showed the potential antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of this extract with the ethyl acetate fraction being most promising for further studies.

Residual Dry Matter, Weeds and Soil Aggregates after Winter Cover Crop

Soil quality maintenance in a no-tillage system (NTS) depends on cover crops. They are essential for crop rotation, affect several soil attributes, and contribute to phytosanitary control. However, cover crop efficacy is influenced by their root function and the presence of plant straw on soil surfaces. The objective of this study was to compare various winter cover crops in terms of their effects on dry mass yield, straw persistence after 40 d, weed incidence, and soil aggregate stability. The soil tested was an Oxisol Ustox Hapludox in Western Paraná State, southern Brazil. A randomized block design was used with four replicates and six treatments (fallow, black oat, fodder turnip, field pea, common vetch, and fodder turnip + black oat). Cover crops were managed 88 d after sowing. Dry mass (DM) and residual dry mass (RDM) were measured at 20 d and 40 d after harvest. Aggregate stability and weed type and density were evaluated after 40 d of management (DAM). The results showed that black oat obtained the lowest decomposition; therefore, a potential species to be used in the system of crop rotation in the no-tillage. The consorted of fodder turnip and black oat provided relatively higher dry mass yields and improved soil aggregation. Cover crops reduced the incidence of weeds, being important for no-till sustainability.

Effect of Some Heavy Metals on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth in Fodder Turnip (Brassica rapa L. var. rapa)

Bu çalışmada, Brassicaceae familyasına ait olan yem şalgamının (Brassica rapa L. var. rapa) tohumlarınafarklı konsantrasyonlarda (0.5, 1, 3, 5 ve 7.0 mM) nitrat tuzu şeklinde uygulanan bazı ağır metallerin (Pb, Cu, Cdve Mn) tohum çimlenmesi ve kök-gövde gelişimi üzerindeki etkileri incelenmiştir. Tohumlar yüzey sterilizasyonusonrası, ağır metallerin belirlenen konsantrasyonlardaki 5 ml’lik çözeltilerinde, kontrol grubu ise distile su içerisinde6 saat şişirilmeye bırakılmıştır. Bu süre sonunda şişme ortamından alınan tohumlardan, 9 cm’lik plastik petrileriçerisindeki 5 ml şişme ortamı sıvısıyla ıslatılmış çift katlı kaba filtre kağıtlarının üzerine, her bir petriye 25’ertohum gelecek şekilde ekim yapılmıştır. Ekimden hemen sonra kapağı kapatılan petriler bitki büyüme kabininekaldırılmış ve 72 sa süreyle 23±1 ºC’de karanlık ortamda çimlenmeye bırakılmıştır. Radikula belirimi esasına göretohumların çimlenme oranları 72 saat sonunda tespit edilmiştir. Ayrıca süre sonunda her bir gruptaki tohumların kökve gövde uzunlukları da ölçülerek kaydedilmiştir. Tohum çimlenmesi ile kök ve gövde büyümesinin, uygulananağır metal konsantrasyonlarındaki artışa paralel olarak azaldığı belirlenmiştir. Pb’ye toleranslı olduğu bilinen yemşalgamının tohumlarında Mn’dan sonra en yüksek çimlenme yüzdesinin Pb uygulamasında görülmesi, bu türüntoksisite eşik değerinin yüksek olduğunu kanıtlamaktadır.

Range of quality characteristics of New Zealand forages and implications for reducing the nitrogen leaching risk from grazing dairy cows

ABSTRACTThe New Zealand Government’s National Policy Statement on Fresh Water Management has resulted in increased scrutiny of New Zealand grazing systems with regards to their environmental impact. With this has been greater interest in nitrogen (N) loss mitigation options, including identifying crops with high nutritive value but low protein content. New Zealand data have been collated with key data fields: publication, experiment, site and, crop details and chemical analysis. This paper discusses these data with respect to the range of nutritive values observed in these New Zealand crops and feed supplements, including the implications for reducing N leaching risk. Feeds most likely to result in less urinary nitrogen (UN) excretion, and thus less nitrate (NO3−) leaching, include fodder beet, swedes, turnips, barley and wheat grain. The high soluble sugar and starch content of these feeds will support high animal production but may increase the risk of nutritional disorders.

Biological and microbiological attributes in Oxisol managed with cover crops

The inclusion of winter cover crops and fertilization with nitrogen to the soil can have an effect on their biological and microbiological attributes. The aim of this study was to evaluate biological and microbiological attributes in soil under different winter cover crops and nitrogen doses. The experiment was conducted at the Frederico Westphalen-RS campus of the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM) in a Rhodic Hapludox soil. The experimental design was a randomized block in factorial arrangement (2 x 10): 10 winter cover crops systems (Fallow [control], black oats, white oats, ryegrass, forage turnip, vetch, white lupine; black oat + forage turnip; black oat + vetch and black oat + vetch + fodder turnip), and two nitrogen rates in the form of urea applied in successive crops of beans common and maize, with four replications. We assessed the biological attributes (Margalef’s richness, Simpson’s dominance, Shannon’s diversity and abundance of organisms) and microbiological (carbon and nitrogen microbial biomass, basal respiration, metabolic quotient and microbial quotient of the soil). The fallow with wild species and white lupine showed greater Simpson’s dominance and abundance of organisms due to the increase in the number of individuals of the order Collembola. Vetch improved the biological attributes of the soil with increase in Collembola abundance and diversity of organisms of soil fauna. The application of nitrogen favored the microbial biomass carbon and reduced the metabolic quotient.

Preliminary Study of Fluidization Curves in Polydisperse Beds Formed by a Binary Mixture of Raphanus sativus L. Husk and Sand

Seeking to use an increasingly clean and sustainable energy matrix, the use of biomass derivatives becomes an increasingly present alternative. Among the processes that can be used to generate higher added value products from biomass, the gasification process is highlighted. The irregular and spherical shape of the biomass particles inserted in the bed make this process difficult, however, and it is necessary to add an inert material (usually sand), forming a polydisperse bed filled with a binary mixture, but the biomass/sand is extremely important for the fluidization process to occur. Therefore, the present work had the objective of determining the fluidization curves of a binary mixture of sand and fodder turnip, which is formed by 10%, 30%, 50%, 70% and 90% of biomass in its volume. The fluidization of the Raphanus sativus L. husk fluidized up to a 70% biomass ratio in the blend, increasing the yield of the system and providing a viable and sustainable alternative for the application of biomass in biorefinery processes.

Effect of nitrogen and weed management on weed control efficiency and yield of fodder turnip

A field experiment was conducted at Forage Research and Management Centre, NDRI, Karnal during <italic>rabi</italic> season in 2013-14 to study the effect of nitrogen application and weed management on growth and yield of fodder turnip (<italic>Brassica compestris</italic> var. rapa) with four levels of nitrogen (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg N/ha) and four weed management practices (pendimethalin @ 1.0 kg a.i./ha, hand weeding, isoproturon @ 0.75 kg a.i./ha and weedy check) in split plot design. Among the nitrogen treatments 150 kg nitrogen/ha gave the highest growth, yield and better quality of fodder turnip. Application of pendimethalin @1.0 kg a.i. proved better in terms of growth and yield of turnip. Weed control efficiency was 65% with 150 kg N/ha and 83.23% with pendimethalin 1.0 kg a.i./ha.

A simple method for the multi-elemental analysis of organic fertilizer by slurry sampling and total reflection X-ray fluorescence

A simple and fast method for the multi-elemental determination of 18 inorganic constituents (P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, V, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Br, Rb, Sr, Ba and Pb) in organic fertilizers employing slurry sampling and total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) is presented. A 23 factorial design with a central point was employed to optimize the slurry sampling procedure. The internal standard and instrumental conditions were optimized by univariate studies. The selectivity of the method to determining Se, As, Pb, Cr, Ni and Cd was assessed. The accuracy was evaluated by the analysis of four standard reference materials (SRM). The recoveries varied from 72% to 114%. For most of the elements, good agreement was achieved between the certified value and the value measured in the SRM. The relative standard deviation (RSD %) ranged from 0.5% to 14%. The evaluated method was applied to the determination of analytes in the press cake of palm, castor, curcas, sunflower, fodder turnip, white lupin, rapeseed and pequi, and their potential to be used as organic fertilizer was evaluated in accordance with Brazilian legislation.

CASE STUDY: Alternative fodder crops for livestock feed in western Washington

ABSTRACT Increased costs of livestock feed and the desire to enhance or expand into feed production have created a need for alternative crops in areas where conventional feed crops such as corn and soybeans are not well adapted. Historically, many crops such as fodder beets, rutabagas, turnips, carrots, and kale were used for livestock feed. This project tested 7 different types and varieties of 5 different alternative feed crops (fodder beets, rutabaga, turnip, kale, chicory) at 2 sites in western Washington for yield quantity and quality for use as livestock feeds. Dry matter yield differed between years (P

Genetic Dissection of Leaf Development in Brassica rapa Using a Genetical Genomics Approach

The paleohexaploid crop Brassica rapa harbors an enormous reservoir of morphological variation, encompassing leafy vegetables, vegetable and fodder turnips (Brassica rapa, ssp. campestris), and oil crops, with different crops having very different leaf morphologies. In the triplicated B. rapa genome, many genes have multiple paralogs that may be regulated differentially and contribute to phenotypic variation. Using a genetical genomics approach, phenotypic data from a segregating doubled haploid population derived from a cross between cultivar Yellow sarson (oil type) and cultivar Pak choi (vegetable type) were used to identify loci controlling leaf development. Twenty-five colocalized phenotypic quantitative trait loci (QTLs) contributing to natural variation for leaf morphological traits, leaf number, plant architecture, and flowering time were identified. Genetic analysis showed that four colocalized phenotypic QTLs colocalized with flowering time and leaf trait candidate genes, with their cis-expression QTLs and cis- or trans-expression QTLs for homologs of genes playing a role in leaf development in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). The leaf gene Brassica rapa KIP-related protein2_A03 colocalized with QTLs for leaf shape and plant height; Brassica rapa Erecta_A09 colocalized with QTLs for leaf color and leaf shape; Brassica rapa Longifolia1_A10 colocalized with QTLs for leaf size, leaf color, plant branching, and flowering time; while the major flowering time gene, Brassica rapa flowering locus C_A02, colocalized with QTLs explaining variation in flowering time, plant architectural traits, and leaf size. Colocalization of these QTLs points to pleiotropic regulation of leaf development and plant architectural traits in B. rapa.

Fertilidade do solo e produtividade de milho em sistemas de adubação verde no norte de Minas Gerais

Baixas produtividades e deficiências de nitrogênio coexistem na cultura do milho, sobretudo em sistemas voltados para a agricultura de subsistência. Diante disso, com esta pesquisa buscou-se avaliar os efeitos da utilização de diferentes adubos verdes em sucessão com o milho, sob manejo de cultivo mínimo e convencional, quanto ao aporte de nutrientes ao solo, ao estado nutricional e às características produtivas do milho para a produção de espigas. O experimento foi conduzido em campo, no Norte de Minas Gerais, em esquema de parcelas subdivididas com fatores dispostos no delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com três repetições. Os tratamentos principais foram: crotalária-juncea (Crotalaria juncea), feijão-de-porco (Canavalia ensiformes), nabo forrageiro (Rafhanus sativus), coquetel (crotalária, feijão-de-porco e nabo forrageiro) e plantas daninhas. As subparcelas foram constituídas pelos manejos da adubação verde, no cultivo mínimo ou convencional. Observou-se menor produtividade do milho quando da utilização do tratamento com plantas daninhas. De modo geral, foi identificado maior crescimento das plantas de milho no cultivo mínimo e maior estande no cultivo convencional, sem, contudo, efeito desses manejos na produtividade de espigas. Houve incremento nos teores superficiais de P e K no solo quando no manejo de cultivo mínimo, mas melhor balanço K/Mg nas plantas de milho no cultivo convencional.

Simple method for the determination of Cu and Fe by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry in biodiesel treated with tetramethylammonium hydroxide

A simple analytical procedure for the determination of Cu and Fe in biodiesel samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry is proposed. An aliquot of the sample is simply mixed with tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) and heated to 90°C for 5min. Pyrolysis and atomization temperatures were optimized through pyrolysis and atomization curves. The high pyrolysis temperature adopted, of 1000°C, certainly helped minimizing potential interferences. Even though, calibration should be carried out with aqueous standard solutions in the presence of the TMAH. The detection limits (3s, n=10), in the sample, were quite low 15ngg−1 and 24ngg−1 for Cu and Fe, respectively. Seven biodiesel samples, produced from different raw materials, including vegetable seed, frying oil and animal fat were analyzed. Accuracy was validated by applying the recovery test to two samples, enriching the samples with two concentration levels (recoveries from 105% to 120%). The precision, expressed by the relative standard deviation was less than 3% for Cu and less than 7% for Fe. Copper could be quantified in two and Fe in three of the seven samples. The biodiesel sample from fodder turnip was especially rich in the analytes in comparison to the other samples.

Metals and phosphorus determination in vegetable seeds used in the production of biodiesel by ICP OES and ICP-MS

Methods for the determination of 5 major (Ca, K, Mg, Na and P) and 14 minor elements (Al, Ba, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Ga, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr and Zn) in vegetable seeds by ICP OES and by ICP-MS, respectively, are proposed. After a common sample preparation consisting of smashing and homogenization in an agata mortar, followed by acid digestion in a microwave oven, the diluted sample solutions were measured in the spectrometers using conventional pneumatic nebulizers. External calibration with aqueous standard solutions was used for both techniques. Internal standard was not required, due to the absence of non-spectral interference. For the major elements, the detection limits were in the range of 0.01 (Mg) to 0.3 µg g − 1 (Na and K) and for the minor elements they were in the range of 0.001 (several) to 0.4 µg g − 1 (Fe). The detection limits were adequate for the seed analysis. The accuracy was validated by analyzing a botanical certified reference material (Pine Needles). Agreement of the concentrations with the certified or informed values was obtained, according to the t-test for a confidence level of 95%. The relative standard deviations were below 10% indicating an adequate precision. Seeds from seven different plants were analyzed: cotton seed, sunflower, castor bean, fodder turnip, curcas bean, soybean and tung. The element concentrations varied considerably in the different samples. The results were also evaluated using the principal component analysis.

Lead contamination reduces chlorophyll biosynthesis and genomic template stability in Brassica rapa L.

In recent years, multiple biomarker systems have been frequently used to measure the genotoxic effects of environmental pollutants on living organisms. In this research, fodder turnip ( Brassica rapa L.) seedlings exposed to 0.5–5 mM concentrations of lead nitrate were used to evaluate the alterations in δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) level, δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity, photosynthetic pigments content (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoid) and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) profiles. Analytical studies by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) demonstrated that lead (Pb) accumulation in the roots and above ground parts of the seedlings increases with an increase in Pb concentration. Lead-induced toxicity resulted in the build-up ALA and reduced activity of ALAD, and photosynthetic pigments content in the leaves. For the RAPD analyses, 11 RAPD primers of 60–70% GC content were found to produce unique polymorphic band profiles and subsequently were used to produce a total of 126 bands of 189–2928 bp. The changes occurring in RAPD profiles of the leaves following Pb treatment included variation became evident as disappearance and/or appearance of DNA bands compared with the normal seedlings. It was found that the effect of changes was dose-dependent. These results indicated that genomic template stability was significantly affected at all Pb concentrations tested. The general tendency of genomic template stability, ALAD activity and photosynthetic pigments content of the leaves was a gradual decrease with an increase in Pb concentration. We concluded that RAPD analysis in conjunction with chlorophyll biosynthesis would a powerful ecotoxicological tool in biomonitoring of heavy metal pollution.