INTERACTION OF IRON AND NICKEL ON THE ACTIVITIES OF CATALASE AND SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE IN THE ROOTS OF GROUNDNUT (Arachis hypogaea)

Abstract

This study was aimed at investigating the effect of iron on the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase on the root of groundnut seedlings grown in Nickel contaminated soil. The soil sample used was divided in five groups labelled 1 to 5. Group 1 which was used as control was neither exposed to nickel nor iron. The groups labelled 2 to 5 were treated with 40ppm of Nickel. In addition groups 3 to 5 were co-treated with 30ppm, 45ppm and 75ppm of iron respectively. Viable seeds of groundnut were then planted in each sample. The roots of the groundnut seedlings from each group were harvested weekly starting from the second week of planting up to the fifth week. The root weight and the activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase were determined. Statistical evaluation of the results showed that the activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase were depressed in the root of groundnut grown in nickel contaminated soil. However a dose dependent increase of the activities of these enzymes were observed with the groups co-treated with iron. At 75ppm of iron concentration, the activities of these enzymes showed no significant difference (p<0.05) from the control. Similarly, the root weight was significantly low but with iron treatment, a steady increase was observed both upstream and downstream.