CHROMIUM UPTAKE AND ITS EFFECTS ON GROWTH AND BIOLOGICAL YIELD OF WHEAT

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. UP. 2003) plants were raised in sand c ulture with complete nutrition in glasshouse conditions to study the e ffects of chromium (Cr). The element was superimposed at 0.05, 0.1, 0. 25 and 0.5 mM on basal nutrient solution as sodium dichromate A.R. In response to 0.25 and 0.5 mM Cr, plant height, leaf number and tiller n umber decreased significantly. The effect of chromium on dry matter yi eld was very mild at early stages of growth but became pronounced late r. Chromium depressed reproductive yield at all levels; maximum reduct ion was found at higher Cr concentrations and the quality of grains wa s also poor. Chromium uptake was maximum in roots followed by leaves a nd stem.