EFFECTS OF MERCURY ON SOME PHYSIOLOGICAL PROCESSES IN BARLEY

Mercury at various concentrations in soil (10, 100, 250, and 500 x 10( -6) mol.dm(3)) had negative effects on growth in young barley plants. The growth of roots was inhibited more than the growth of the above-gr ound parts. Inhibiton of these processes correlated with mercury accum ulation in the roots and the above-ground parts. Bioaccumulation of me rcury in the plants correlated with Hg2+ ions in soil. Mercury changed the decreased or increased chlorophyll contents in defense to Hg2+ co ncentration. Mercury, in dependence on Hg2+ concentration in soil, cau sed changes,in chlorophyll content. In general it decreased chlorophyl l contents, only the concentration of 100 mu M resulted in elevation o f its content.