Inhibitory effects of Cu2+ stress on seed germination and seedlings growth of Pennisetum purpureum

Took Pennisetum purpureum as materials to research the inhibitory effects of Cu2+ stress on seed germination and seedlings growth. The results showed the treatments with low Cu2+ concentrations solution (＜80 mgL-1) had better promoting effect on germination percentage, relative germination percentage, relative germination energy, germination index and 5 mm length coleoptile than that of control, and had stronger inhibition with high Cu2+ concentrations (80 mgL-1) solution. The germination percentage was about 78% when Cu2+ concentration up to 100 mgL-1. The seeds vigor index, seedling height, root length, and fresh and dry weight decreased with the increasing of Cu2+ concentrations in different treatments. Inhibition rates of seedlings growth and root length were significant positive related with Cu2+ concentrations. Correlation coefficients were 0.780 1 and 0.940 7. Inhibition effects of root was more sensitive than aerial part of seedlings to Cu2+. These results indicat that P.purpureum is useful for phytoremediation of heavy metal in polluted soil due to its good germination, good growth ability, and strong tolerance to Cu2+.