A study of root elongation using tomato and radish seeds: Evaluation of growth, temperature and pH, and toxicity for cacodylic acid and glutaraldehyde

This investigation evaluated growth, and effects of pH and temperature on t wo different seeds, radish and tomato, using root elongation as the endpoin t in a soilless culture. Root elongation for both plants (seeds) was simila r for pH, but tomato was more sensitive to low temperatures. Toxicity of tw o chemicals, cacodylic acid and glutaraldehyde, were also studied using roo t elongation with both plant seeds. EC50 values and corresponding confidenc e intervals, for both chemicals, were determined using root elongation. The se data suggest that cacodylic acid is more toxic than glutaraldehyde for b oth radish and tomato. This study suggests that plant seeds are useful for evaluating toxicity of hazardous substances, especially for those of enviro nmental concern.