EFFECT OF ALUMINIUM STRESS ON THE BIOCHEMICAL CONSITITUENTS DURING EARLY SEEDLING GROWTH OF MUSTARD

Studies were carried out to evanuate the effect of various concentrations (25,50,100,200,400 and 800 ug/ml) of different aluminium species on the biochemical constituents during seedling growth of mustard. The aluminium species chosen were AICl3, Al(NO3)3, and Al2(SO4)3. The first observable effect on plant was a limitation in root growth. Higher concentrations (beyond 100 ug/ml) resulted in the death of plants while concentrations ranging from 25 to 100 ug/ml resulted in a decrease in chlorophyll contents but an increase in soluble proteins and total phenol contents. The toxicity series was found to be AICl3 > Al2(SO4)3 >Al(NO3)3.