Abstract

TO INVESTIGATE THE ACTIVITY OF ANTIOXIDATIVE ENZYMES IN GERMINATING CHICKPEAS UNDER VARYING CONCENTRATION OF MANGANESE

Rekhani Jyoti Pal* and Gulshan Kumar

Abstract

Metal contamination issues are becoming increasingly common in India particularly in areas with high anthropogenic pressure as metal toxicity is increasing by mining industries, smelters, coal-burning power plants and agriculture. Being non-degradable in nature it enters into the food chain and subsequently reaches to human and animals. In humans, it can cause neurodegenerative diseases, increased allergic reactions, high blood pressure, depression, irritability, poor concentration, sleep disabilities etc. In plants, metal toxicity is manifested through an array of physiological and metabolic alterations, growth reduction, lower biomass production and metal accumulation. Plant tissues with most of metals accumulated in it cause increased generation of reactive oxygen species. In organisms, antioxidants help to deal with oxidative stress caused by free radical damage; as the main characteristic feature of an antioxidant is its ability to trap free radicals. The present work was done to investigate the activity of antioxidative enzymes in germinating chickpeas under varying concentration of manganese. In lower concentration of manganese, a considerable amount of growth is shown as it is required by the plant in trace amount. Antioxidative systems in plants in relation to high Manganese amounts has also been reported as a defense mechanism, as the concentration increases the growth of plant is inhibited due to free radical produced during stress condition of manganese. Trace elements are necessary for the normal metabolic function of the plants, but at higher concentrations, these metals are toxic and may severely interfere with physiological and biochemical functions.

Keywords: Antioxidative enzyme, metal stress, chickpeas, germination.