Toxic Effect of Copper on Growth, Yield, Photosynthetic Pigments and Mineral Composition of Wheat Plants (Triticum Aestivum L.)

A pot experiment was conducted with six different concentrations of copper (Cu) viz., 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 (ppm) to determine the the response of wheat plants grown in earthen pots lined with polythene bags under glass house conditions. The growth attributes like plant height, fresh and dry weight yield, percent dry matter enhanced with increasing Cu concentrations and was maximum at 30 (ppm) Cu while the number of tillers was minimum at this level. The grain yield at 30 (ppm). Cu was enhanced by 65.2% from the control. The increase in weight of 1000 grains ranged from 45.95 to 48.49 g in comparison to control (3205 g). Harvest index (%) also increased and ranged from 42.49 to 49.50 in different treatments in comparison to control (39.99). Both 1000 grain weight and harvest index were maximum in the plants at 30 (ppm) copper. Cu concentrations in leaves, grain and straw enhanced with increasing levels of Cu application. The Fe concentration in leaves was significantly reduced by Cu application and the reduction was 11.5% at 50 (ppm) Cu and was not influenced in by Cu application in grain and straw. The Mn concentration was not affected by Cu application in any of the plant part studied. However, Zn concentration decreased significantly at higher levels of Cu (40 and 50 ppm) in leaves and remained unaffected in the grain and straw.