Published Paper Details:

Experiments were conducted at 14.6mg of lead nitrate kg-1 dry soil mixture, as MAC dose in pot cultures. The dose was given once for short term experiments (6days), twice for 15days and thrice for 30days to maintain constancy of the medium. Biomolecular analysis (DNA, RNA, protein, FAA content) indicated that FAA and RNA content slightly increased whereas other biomolecules decreased significantly in lead nitrate exposed seedlings compared to control seedlings. Noteworthy changes in DNA content was not observed in exposed seedlings, indicating no cell death induced by lead. But the interference of lead in biomolecular synthesis can not be ruled out.DNA, RNA, protein and free amino acid content of the lead exposed seedlings and plants, significantly declined at all exposure periods and the impact was severe on 30th day old ragi plants in pot culture experiments. The protein content in exposed plants significantly declined at all exposure periods when compared to control value and the impact was severe on 30th day (59.3% decrease) old ragi plants. The protein content increased with the increase in exposure period in case of control set. The free amino acid content in exposed plants significantly declined at all exposure periods when compared to control value and the impact was severe on 30th day old ragi plants. The free amino acid content increased with the increase in exposure period in case of control set.