| Abstract: | Phytotoxicity of Thallium (Tl) in Culture Solution Part 2: Effects of Tl(III) on the Growth and Heavy Metal Contents of Pea and Field Bean Plants The effects of Tl(NO3)3 and Tl(III)EDTA on growth and heavy metal contents of pea plants (Pisum sativum L. cv. Aromata) and field bean plants (Vicia faba L. cv. Hangdown) were compared in hydroponic culture experiments. In the presence of Tl(NO3)3, the essential heavy metals were available to the plants in their ionic forms. When Tl(III)EDTA was present the essential heavy metals were available as chelated complexes. Dry matter production of the pea plants was inhibited to a greater extent by TI(II1)EDTA than by Tl(NO3)3. The distribution of TI within the plant was unaffected by the accompanying anion, however an increase of the TI content of the stems and the leaves was observed in the presence of TI(II1)EDTA. The micronutrients exhibited different interactions with TI(II1). In the presence of increasing concentrations of Tl(NO3)3 the Mn content of each organ and the Zn content of the roots were lowered, but the Zn content of the stems was increased. Increasing concentrations of TI(II1)EDTA resulted only in a decrease of the Mn content of the roots, but in an increase of the contents of Fe and Mn within the stems, and Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu within the leaves. The increases may be due to concentration by growth inhibition. In contrast to pea plants, growth of field bean plants was inhibited only by TI(N03)). The field bean plants retained most of the TI within the roots independent of the TI compound in the solution. Chelation of TI(II1) resulted in higher TI contents of both the roots and the stems, but equal or reduced TI contents of the leaves. Whereas increasing concentrations of Tl(NO3)3 reduced the Mn content of each organ as well as the Zn content of the roots and the leaves, TI(II1)EDTA only reduced the Mn content of the roots. |
