Effect of contaminated water on seed germination traits of crops

Lead (Pb) is one of the noxious trace metal element (TME) contaminants in the environment. In this work, we conducted a comparative physiological response study through some germination parameters between four cereals (Triticum durum, Triticum aestivum, Hordeum vulgare, and Zea mays) grown on a nutrient solution for 10 days and treated with three increasing levels of lead acetate (0.15, 0.3, and 0.6 g/L) in order to evaluate the impact of different lead concentrations on the germination capacity of these species. The results showed that lead has an abiotic stress effect on the four varieties examined at 0.3 g/L and 0.6 g/L. We recorded a significant to very highly significant effect in all the parameters studied. In the underground parts, in particular, a highly significant reduction in precocity of germination was recorded in Triticum durum, Triticum aestivum, Hordeum vulgare, and Zea mays. There was also a highly significant to very highly significant decrease in germination percentage in durum wheat, soft wheat, and maize. Under the most severe stress conditions (0.6 g/L), the barley variety showed stress tolerance with a germination rate of 92%. According to the findings of this study, the varieties examined can be grouped into two categories: variants that are susceptible to metal stress (Triticum durum, Triticum aestivum, and Zea mays) and varieties that are tolerant to lead exposure (Hordeum vulgare).