Influence of heavy metals content in water of small rivers used for irrigation of maize of Armenian population
А. R. Sukiasyan
Section: Monitoring of anthropogenically disturbed areas
Ecological safety of small rivers for the population of the region, their role in the formation of biota is largely determined
by the chemical composition of water. The intensity of climatic and anthropogenic factors changes, the chemical
composition and, as a consequence, the quality of water can be vary significantly. In this regard, the conduct of monitoring
studies of the water composition of these sources is very relevant. The features of migration of a number of heavy metals
(HM) in the water-soil-plant triad were studied using the example of an annual herbaceous cultural plant – sugar corn
(Zea mays L.) growing on the coastal areas of the Shnogh River. As a control plant corn inbred line B73 was used. With
a specially equipped air-conditioning system the drought was modeled in climatic room by changing the optimum soil
water content in the experimental vases. In the control vases, the optimum soil water content was 54%, in the case of a
mild drought – 43%, wherein the wilting of leaves of the plant was not visually observed. During the modeling of severe
drought, the optimum soil water content was 34%, and leaf wilting was observed during the day. The content of HM in
samples of river water, coastal soil and plant grains were carried out using a portable analyzer “Thermo Scientific™
Niton™ XRF Portable Analyzerˮ. An analysis of the kinetic data of plant growth under simulated drought conditions was
carried out. Kinetic parameters of plant growth in three conditions of simulated drought were determined. A correlation
was established between the growth rate of biological samples and the drought. The kinetic parameters of plant growth
under simulated drought conditions were established. A correlation was found between the water potential and osmotic pressure in the three-day shoots of the fifth maize sheet under conditions of drought. The physiological response of plant
growth according to the degree of drought and indicators of water potential and osmotic pressure were considered. A
certain spatial dynamics of distribution of some HM in the water-soil-plant triad is revealed. The obtained experimental
material will makes it possible to carry out a complex of measures to monitor the degree of contamination of river water
which used for irrigation purposes taking into account soil and climatic conditions of growth.
Keywords: plant, drought, growth kinetics, water potential, osmotic pressure, heavy metals
Article published in number 4 for 2018 DOI: 10.25750/1995-4301-2018-4-034-039
ISSN 1995-4301
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