Impact of Acetyl Acetone on Zinc Uptake and Oxidative Stress in Cucumber (Cucumis sativus)

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to determine the impacts of acetyl acetone on zinc uptake and oxidative stress in cucumber (Cucumis sativus) seedlings grown in hydroponic solutions. Thirty seedlings of cucumber were collected from Kura local government area Kano, Kano state. Concentrations of Zn2+ in the hydroponics were varied from 0.000 to 0.025 mol dm-3 and of acetyl acetone were also varied from 0.000 to 0.025 mol dm-3. The seedlings were replanted and kept at Department of Agriculture Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil garden. The weight of plants increased significantly (p<0.05) with concentration of Zn2+ in the absence of acetyl acetone and highly insignificantly (p>0.05) with concentration of acetyl acetone in the absence of Zn2+. In the presence of acetyl acetone and Zn2+ plant weight decreased highly insignificant (p>0.05). Leaf fall was observed from plants in all hydroponic, the number of falling leaves was insignificant (p>0.05) with concentration of Zn2+ but it is insignificant (p>0.05) with concentration of acetyl acetone and highly insignificant in the presence of acetyl acetone and Zn2+ (p>0.05). The volume of the solution decreased highly significant (p<0.05) with concentration of Zn2+ and significant with concentration of acetyl acetone (p<0.05) the volume also increased insignificantly in the presence of acetyl acetone and Zn2+ (p>0.05). The pH values of treated hydroponics before replanting and after harvest were insignificant with increased in the concentration of Zn2+ (p>0.05). Both shoot and root zinc accumulated were insignificant at lower concentration of Zn2+ (p>0.05) and significant at higher concentration of Zn2+ (p<0.05). The zinc translocation factor decreased highly insignificantly (p>0.05) at lower concentration of Zn2+ and significant at higher concentration of Zn2+ (p>0.05) in treated plants compared to control. The chlorophyll, carotenoid and proline content varied in the presence and absence of acetyl acetone and or combination of the two, with (p<0.05) or (p>0.05).