1Dept. of Microbiology, Sourashtra College, Pasumalai, Madurai-625 004, India.
2Corrosion Science and Technology Division, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam-603 102, India.
3Corrosion Protection Division, Central Electro Chemical Research Institute, Karaikudi-630 001, India.
Rare earth elements (REEs) frequently occur together in rare earth minerals and have similarities in ionic radii and chemical activities with other elements in periodic table. REEs have beneficial effects on plant growth and soil properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of REEs on plant (Wheat) growth and their accumulation of rare earth elements. Inductively Coupled Plasma – Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) was carried out to assess the fractionation of REEs in different tissues of wheat plant. The mean concentrations of rare earth elements were determined in roots, shoots and leaves of wheat. A greater biomass and significant accumulation of REEs were inferred in roots than in leaves and shoots. Increased levels of Chlorophyll, amylase and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were observed in the REEs treated plants. This study implicates the role of REEs as fertilizers to improve plant biomass production.
Bioaccumulation, rare earth elements, wheat
