EFFECTS OF LEAD ON ANTIOXIDANT ENZYME ACTIVITIES IN NERIUM INDICUM L. BY GROWING IN ROADSIDE SOIL OF LAHORE

Abstract

Concentrations of different roadside soil amendment (0, 50, 75 and 100%) were prepared by mixing with garden (control) soil. All pollution parameters were determined in the different concentrations of soil i.e., pH, TDS, EC, CO3^-2, HCO3. The highest values of pH (8.78), ECe (338 μS cm^-1), and TDS (696 mg L^-1), were observed in the 100% concentration, indicating a higher level of pollution compared to the control sample. The maximum value of bicarbonates (87 mg L^-1) recorded in 100% as compared to 0% (22 mg L^-1). Highest values of Pb were present in 100% (770 mg kg^-1) as compared to control. With increasing soil concentrations, all of these indicators showed rising trends, with Pb>Cd being the most notable. Nerium indicum L. was grown in these concentrations for 35 days of the experiment.   The growth parameters   i.e., root length, shoot length; no. of roots and no .of leaves   were   recorded   in   all   soil   concentrations.   The   maximum   growth was found to be in 100% and minimum in 50% and no growth was observed in 0% concentrations. The accumulation of heavy metals   Pb   and   Cd   was observed   and increasing trend was Pb>Cd. The amount of protein was also detected, maximum found in the concentration of 100% which would be 20.54%, also determined in all plants that had grown in varying concentrations of soil. The amount of protein increased with increasing the concentrations. The SOD was determined in plants parts increased with increasing concentrations of soil; highest value was recorded in 100% (3.54 per mg^-1 protein). The aim of the study was to check the effect of heavy metals in Nerium indicum L. by growing in different concentrations of roadside soil. The plant   was further assessed to determine the role of protein and antioxidants activities.