Effect of lead on germination and early seedling growth of French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

The phytotoxicity effect of different concentrations of lead on germination and early seedling growth of French bean was studied in the year 2008-09. During the study, it was found that the seed germination per cent and early seedling growth of French bean in terms of root length, shoot length, fresh and dry weight of root and shoot, vigour index and tolerance index were maximum at control and a gradual reduction of the above mentioned indices was observed with the increase in lead concentration. The phytotoxicity percentage in the tested seeds, on the other hand, was in ascending order with the increase in lead concentration. However, at fairly high concentration of 100 ppm lead, 58.05% French bean seeds germinated with 25.75% tolerance index.