Effect of Pb, Cu and Fe compounds on the germination and early seedling growth of tomato varieties

Abstract

The germination and early seedling growth of two tomato seed varieties (NHLe 158-3 and ROMA VF) were investigated using five levels (0% 0.001% 0.01% 0.1% 1%) of lead acetate, cupric carbonate and ferric chloride respectively. The experiment was conducted under 12±2h photoperiodic laboratory condition in a laboratory germinator. The results showed that the aggregate germination percentage (AGP) as well as the coefficient of germination velocity (CGV) decreased with increase in the levels of metallic compounds on the two tomato varieties. The decreases in AGP and CGV were significant ( p