Effect of DDT on plant mineral nutrition.
DDT added to soil at a concentration of 50 microg g(-1) had no inhibitory effects on germination and plant growth of barley, mung and rice, but considerably inhibited the oilseed species tested in the laboratory. The uptake of one or other ions was affected in varying degrees, with plants grown in DDT-treated soils. Detailed field studies of a peanut crop further confirmed the inhibition of ion uptake with DDT, especially Ca(2+) and K(+). Reduced uptake of (86)Rb by germinated peanut seeds in the presence of DDT further supported the observations made with K(+). Cell number and length in plants were reduced in plants grown in DDT-treated soil and the role of calcium is discussed. It appears that growth inhibition in oil seed plants may arise from the low levels of Ca(2+) and K(+) in plants grown in DDT-treated soils.
Mitra
J
J
Nuclear Agriculture Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Bombay 400 085, India.
Ramachandran
V
V
Nirale
A S
AS