EFFECT OF CADMIUM AND NICKEL ON MOBILIZATION OF FOOD RESERVES AND ACTIVITIES OF HYDROLYTIC ENZYMES IN GERMINATING PIGEON PEA-SEEDS

Inclusion of cadmium as cadmium chloride and nickel as nickel chloride in media differentially induced dry matter mobilisation from cotyledo ns of germinating pigeon pea seeds. Cadmium depressed the activities o f total amylase, protease, acid phosphatase and peroxidase in germinat ing seeds. The activities of these enzymes were stimulated at the lowe r concentrations of nickel and suppressed at the higher ones. This dua l response of hydrolytic enzymes to cadmium and nickel is postulated t o account for the promotory and inhibitory effects of these heavy meta ls on dry matter mobilisation.