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Abstract
The zinc (Zn) and nickel (Ni) as oxidative stress factors and associated responses
of 6-day-old seedlings of two pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millspaugh) cultivars
namely LRG30 and ICPL87 were studied. Zinc and Ni exposure increased lipid peroxidation
in relation to their concentration. Reduction in dry matter accumulation of roots
and shoots was noticed in Zn and Ni treatments. The activities of antioxidative enzymes
such as superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and glutathione reductase registered higher
values and the activity of catalase and the antioxidative substances such as ascorbic
acid and total glutathione contents registered lower values in all the Zn and Ni treatments
when compared to their controls. The levels of catalase, peroxidase and glutathione
reductase and ascorbic acid and total glutathione contents were high in cv. LRG30
than in cv. ICPL87 in response to Zn and Ni treatments. However, the activity of superoxide
dismutase, the major scavenger of O(2)(&z.rad;-) radical registered higher values
in cv. ICPL87. The cv. LRG30 is less sensitive to Zn and Ni treatments compared to
the cv. ICPL87. Correlation coefficients between the different antioxidant parameters
and metal dose level, or dry matter accumulation, were established, assessing for
an induced-oxidative stress. Additional evidence was provided by comparing the sensitivity
of the two cultivars.