EFFECTS OF ANTIBIOTIC STRESS ON GERMINATION OF RADISH (RAPHANUS SATIVUS L.) AND TURNIP (BRASSICA RAPA SUBSP. RAPA) CROPS

Abstract

Antibiotics are beneficial in combating disease-causing agents. However, their excessive usage has led to environmental contamination through wastewater, manure, and effluents from livestock facilities, classifying them as emerging contaminants. To assess the phytotoxic effects of antibiotic stress, erythrocin and doxycycline (0, 5, 10, and 15 mM) were applied to radish (Raphanus sativus L.) and turnip (Brassica rapa subsp. rapa.) in a petri plate germination experiment, conducted at the Physiology Laboratory, Department of Botany, The Women University, Multan. Both crops exhibited distinct germination responses under antibiotic stress. Turnip (var. PT) showed complete germination inhibition (0%) at 15 mM erythrocin, whereas radish (var. R Manu) retained 77% germination at the same concentration. Antibiotic stress significantly reduced radicle length more than germination rates. Erythrocin caused a 17% reduction in radish (var. R 40), 3% in radish (var. R Manu), and 92% in turnip (var. TG), while doxycycline led to reductions of 50% in (var. R 40, 92% in (var.TG), and 77% in (var. PT). Erythrocin demonstrated greater phytotoxicity than doxycycline, highlighting species- and concentration-dependent effects.