Paper Details

PJB-2024-495

Effects of mercuric chloride (HgCl₂) on root of mint (Mentha spicata L.) in sand culture

Ahmet Oğuzhan Arica
Abstract

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In this study, the effects of mercury II chloride (HgCl₂) at concentrations of 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3 mg/L on seed germination speed, seed germination rate, mercury accumulation in the roots and various root parameters in mint (Mentha spicata L.) plant were investigated. The sand culture experiment was conducted using a randomized block design with five replicates, lasted for 60 days.

It was observed that the growth of the plants was retarded, especially at 2.5 and 3 mg/L mercury concentrations. The amount of mercury accumulated in the root increased with the increasing mercury concentration. It was determined that negative effect was increased with the increase concentration of mercury in all studied parameters, which comprised of seed germination speed, seed germination rate, mercury accumulation in the roots, root fresh weight, root dry weight, root area, root length, root xylem area, root phloem area, total area of root tracheal lumens, root mean tracheal lumen area, total area of root tracheid lumens, total wall area of root xylem, root trachea number and root tracheid number.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different concentrations of HgCl₂ on seed germination, root growth, mercury accumulation, and root anatomical characteristics of Mentha spicata L. in sand culture. This investigation aimed to provide new insights into how mercury toxicity affects mint, an economically and medicinally important aromatic plant, particularly during its early developmental stages.

 

To Cite this article: Arica, A.O. 2026. Effects of mercuric chloride (HgCl2) on root of mint (Mentha spicata L.) in sand culture. Pak. J. Bot., 58(3): DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30848/PJB2026-3(14)  
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