Impact of lead on seed germination, seedling growth, chemical composition, and forage quality of different varieties of Sorghum

Abstract

AbstractDue to heavy metal contamination, there are currently significant losses in agriculture and food security. Anthropogenic sources led to increased heavy metal contamination, which was becoming an attentive problem for agriculture and food safety. Among these metals, lead (Pb), which is toxic and affects crop production, has emerged as a standout due to its severe toxicity and relatively obscure mode of action.This study aims to compare the chemical composition and nutritional value of three tested sorghum cultivars grown in Pb-spiked soil with different levels of Pb (0, 100, 200, 400 and 800 mg kg−1). Also, the impact of different Pb levels on germination, fresh and dry weight of underground and aboveground parts, and morphological characters of three tested sorghum cultivars were assessed. The results emphasized that the germination index (GRI), radical and plumule length (cm), vigor index (VI), and tolerance index (TI) declined significantly by increasing Pb levels at all the examined cultivars. The morphological parameters of the examined cultivars decreased progressively with increasing Pb concentration for three tested sorghum cultivars. The nutritive values and forage quality of examined cultivars are negatively impacted by higher Pb levels, rendering them hazardous to animal consumption. These results may help scheme a mitigation strategy for lead injuriousness.