The Effects of Increasing Doses of Lead Applications on Growth, Pb And Microelement Concentrations of Tobacco Varieties

Abstract

Lead (Pb) is a hazardous heavy metal pollutant for humans, animals and plants when the certain threshold concentrations exceeded. Tobacco can accumulate higher concentrations of Pb, and the genotypic differences of tobacco in Pb uptake and the response to Pb have not been clearly determined. The aim of this work was to determine the effects of various lead levels (Pb 0, 0.25, 2.5 and 10 mg kg-1) on biomass (shoot and root) production, Pb concentration and micro nutrient concentrations of two tobacco (Xanthi/2A and Nail) varieties. Tobacco plants were grown under controlled conditions, and required macro (N, P and K) and micro (Fe and Zn) nutrients were applied along with increased doses of Pb. The concentrations of Pb, Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu concentrations in shoot and dry matter yield (shoot and root) of two tobacco varieties were determined. The increased doses of Pb significantly affected the dry matter yield. Despite the decrease in root and shoot, it was found that tobacco varieties caused significant increases in shoot lead concentrations. Increasing doses of lead to significant increases and decreases in green parts Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu concentrations of tobacco varieties. As a result, it is revealed that Nail and Xanthi / 2A tobacco varieties have a Pb concentration of less than 1.0 mg kg-1, even at the highest lead dose, but tobacco products made with tobacco varieties grown in lead contaminated soils constitute a risk for tobacco smokers.