effect of lead and nickel on growth and some physiological aspects of Helinthus annus L.

ABSTRACT Biological study was conducted in a green-house at Mosul University, College of Education, Department of Biology. The aim is to study the effect of different concentrations of heavy metals lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni) at levels (0,100, 200, 300) mg/Kg of soil on growth and some physiological aspects for sun flower plant. The results of the study showed that addition of the lead and nickel to the soil showed a significant decrease in growth, relative water content, degree of cytoplasmic membrane, chlorophyll (a,b), total (a+b), chlorophyll (a/b), area of leaves / plant, carbohydrates and protein content of leaves. While there was a significant increase of proline accumulation in leaves. In the other hand, there was a significant increase in the concentration of lead in comparison with nickel's concentration.