Phytotoxicity of Arsenic Compound on Hordeum Vulgare (L.) Seedlings

Introduction of Arsenic into food chain has become a grave health threat across the globe. Arsenic occurs in different inorganic forms and Arsenate is more prevalent in aerobic conditions. Here, we report effects of increasing concentrations of Sodium Arsenate on germinating seedlings of five different cultivars of Hordeum vulgare. Although higher concentrations of Arsenate are toxic and adversely affect different parameters of seedling growth, viz. length, fresh and dry weight of radicle and plumule yet low concentrations show a little growth stimulatory trend in some cultivars. Further, inhibition of growth is more prominent in radicle than plumule.