Toxicity Effect on Eleusine Coracana (Ragi) Under Hydroponic Condition

Elevated levels of heavy metals in contaminated soils are extensively increased and concerns have been raised over the potential risks to humans, animals and agricultural crops. This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of different soil levels of cadmium & nickel on germination and seedling vigour in ragi (Eleusine coracana L.). The seeds of ragi were germinated with six concentrations of cadmium chloride and nickel chloride solutions ranging from 5-100 mg/l in hydroponic condition upto 8 days. The germination was found increased significantly under low level of cadmium and nickel but decrease in germination and reduction in the length of radical and plumule were observed in seeds of ragi as the concentrations of cadmium and nickel were raised. Vigour index, tolerance index and dry weight of root and shoot of the seedlings increased at low level of cadmium and nickel treatments and decreased with increase in cadmium & nickel concentrations. However, observations indicate that at high concentrations, cadmium has more toxic effect than nickel.