Influence of Heavy Metals on Seed Germination and Growth of Picea abies L. Karst

Abstract

This paper presents the influence of heavy metals on the process of seed germination and the survival rate of Picea abies L. Karst spruce seedlings. The experiments were conducted in laboratory conditions by adding solutions of compounds of zinc, copper, lead, and cadmium at three different concentrations (3 ppm, 33 ppm, and 100 ppm) to the media. The observed heavy metals affected the germination of the spruce seeds in different ways. Although the seed was tolerant to the presence of all metals, the percentage of germinated seeds depended on the type of metal and its concentration. The lower concentrations of the heavy metals (3 and 33 ppm) partially inhibited seed germination, and the highest concentrations (100 ppm) of all metals caused total inhibition. The P. abies L. Karst seedlings were very tolerant to the presence of all metals. The highest concentrations of cadmium and copper had a significant influence on the decrease of the number of the seedlings that survived, as well as on the decrease of biomass in comparison with lead. Zinc had the least adverse effect on the growth and survival of seedlings.