Studies on differential tolerance of mungbean cultivars to metalliferous minewastes

High yielding cultivars of mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) were tested for the ir tolerance to chromium and nickel in pot culture experiments with chromit e mine spoil under controlled conditions. Standard growth parameters such a s root length, shoot length, root/shoot dry matter and Root Tolerance Index (RTI) and enzyme activity were used as markers for tolerance to chromium a nd nickel. Root measurements 28 days after root emergence yielded significa nt differences among five cultivars of mung bean. 'Dhauli' and 'LGG-407' re corded significant increase in root growth with high RTI value indicating t heir tolerance to chromium and nikkel, while 'Sujata', 'K-851' and 'PDM-116 ' developed few roots due to their sensitivity to both metals. Peroxidase a nd catalase activities were higher in 'Dhauli' and 'LGG-407' than 'Sujata', 'K-851' and 'PDM-116'. Based on the growth parameters, five cultivars of m ung bean were ranked in respect of their tolerance to chromium and nickel f rom metalliferous minewastes: Dhauli > LGG-407 > Sujata > K-851 > PDM-116. This method can be employed for revegetation programmes of metalliferous mi newastes.