Evaluation of the effect of heavy metals on germination characteristics of flax (Linum usitatissimum) seed

In order to study the effect of nickel and lead metals on germination characteristics and flax seedling growth, a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replicates was conducted in Laboratory of Seed Science and Technology, College of Agriculture, Shahed University in 2016. The factors were heavy metals treatment including lead )control, 250, 500 and 750 μm), and nickel (200, 400 and 600 μm). The results of analysis of variance showed that the effect of heavy metals on germination percentage, germination rate, root length, shoot length and seedlings length, seedling fresh and dry weight, viguor of seedling length index and relative water content was significant at one percent probability level. The highest germination percentage (98.66 percent) and germination rate (11.86 1.day) were related to control treatment. Also, using lead metal reduced germination characteristics and flax seedling growth compare to controls. But, the inhibitory effect of lead metal on germination characteristics and flax seedling growth was less compared to all of nickel concentrations. With increasing nickel concentrations the inhibitory effect were increased, therefore the lowest germination characteristics and flax seedling growth were observed in 600 μm nickel concentrations. In general, results showed that nickel and lead metals lead to reduce germination seed and growth of flax.