Physiological and Biochemical Studies in Black Gram as Affected By Iron

The response of black gram (Vigna mungo L.) at different levels i.e. control (5.6 ppm), deficient (1.4 ppm) and toxic (56 ppm) of iron was investigated. Deficient and toxic levels of iron suppressed the growth of black gram seedlings as compared to control. A significant reduction was seen in radicle and plumule length, and biomass of plant at deficient level of iron as compared to toxic. The photosynthetic pigments were also found to be reduced at deficient level of iron than toxic and control. Iron deficiency and toxicity were associated with an increase in the activities of catalase and peroxidase. Both iron deficiency and toxicity decreased the concentration of DNA, RNA and protein contents in young seedlings of black gram. Iron deficiency proved to be more deleterious for black gram than iron toxicity.