Effects of HMX and TNT contaminations on biochemical constituents in Triticum sativum L. and Raphanus sativus L. plants

Dose-response experiments formed the basis for evaluating the toxic effects using 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and hexahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazine (HMX) spiked artificial soils. These stresses to Raphanus sativus L. resulted in a reduction in chlorophyll, increase in carotenoid and xanthophylls, reduction in leaf, tuber and root protein, a significant accumulation of free proline in leaves and tuber. HMX decreased proline in root and TNT increased it. HMX stress to Triticum sativum L. resulted in an increase in chlorophyll, decrease in carotenoid and xanthophylls, reduction in leaf protein, and increase in tuber and root protein, a reduction in leaf proline, increase in root proline. TNT resulted an increase in leaf and root proline but there are curved behavior to accumulation of free proline in ear. The magnitude of increase in free proline accumulation was higher in the more tolerant plant. Results indicate Triticum sativum L. is more tolerant to TNT and HMX than Raphanus sativus L.