Studies on Physiological Response of Sinapis alba Plants to Organochlorinated Pesticide Toxicity

This study was conducted to evaluate the physiological response of Sinapis alba plants to the organochlorinated pesticide - lindane. The seed germination, root and shoot elongation were found to be affected by the presence of lindane in the range of 1 to 50 ppm. The experimental results indicated that the contents of chlorophyll a, b and total decreased in comparison with control sample and declined with the increase of pollutants concentration between 0.1 to 50 mg/L. Similarly, carotenoids content showed a decrease of this pigment comparing with the control plants for all investigated lindane concentrations. Lindane may alter the synthesis of chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments, indicating a toxic effect on mustard plant. It was concluded that the exposure on pesticide causes oxidative stress in white mustard plants by producing reactive oxygen species.