Copper Chloride Toxicity on Maize Plants

This article investigates the effects that copper chloride (CuCl₂) has on the growth of maize (Zea mays). Researchers aimed at testing how different amounts of CuCl₂ would affect the growth of the plant by assessing the shoot and root length, biomass, and leaf characteristics. They hypothesized that increased amounts of CuCl₂ would adversely affect the growth of the crops. The importance of this study is to discern how contaminants to soil quality would affect food supply and production. This study also aims to determine how exposure to certain contaminants would lead to better practices to improve soil quality and agricultural practices.

Figure 1 showcased the effects that CuCl₂ had on the fresh weight of Zea mays. The CuCl₂ treatment and concentration levels - (0 ppm (T1), 25 ppm (T2), 50 ppm (T3), and 75 ppm (T4) - (independent variables), were used to measure fresh weight (dependant variable) in grams. With 0 ppm (T1) (control) having the highest shoot rate, as the concentration of CuCl₂ increases throughout each treatment level, the fresh weight of the shoot decreases. This shows a negative correlation between CuCl₂ and fresh shoot weight concluding that higher levels of CuCl₂ decreases the rate at which the plants grow. CuCl₂ dries the plants causing its weight to decrease throughout the treatments, preventing the plants from developing adequate shoot growth and creating an imbalance in the fresh shoot weight at each phase of the plant’s growth phase.

Figure 8 evaluates the effect that CuCl₂ has on root length on Zea mays at different levels of concentration of CuCl₂ - 0 ppm, 25 ppm, 50 ppm, and 75 ppm (independent variables). Given that the soil type, seeds, watering schedule, light exposure, and temperature was the same (control variable), the researchers aimed at examining the changes in root length measured in centimeters (dependent variable). The data revealed that the control group (T1, 0ppm CuCl₂) had the longest root length of about 2.5cm, whereas the others had shorter lengths of about 1.75, 1.60, and 1.25 cm respectively for T2, T3, and T4. These findings show a negative correlation between the amount of CuCl₂ and the development of the root system as the plant aged. The oxidative properties inhibited growth, development, prevented nutrient intake, and created copper toxicity which affected the plant’s ability to support shoot growth and transport water.

Figure 11 shows that the number of maize leaves decreased steadily as the concentration of the CuCl₂ increased. The CuCl₂treatment (independent variable) ranged from T1 to T4, while the number of leaves (dependent variable) was highest in T0 at about 10 leaves and lowest in T4 with about 7 leaves. This correlation represents that more levels of CuCl₂ reduces the production of leaves. CuCl₂ lowered the number of leaves being produced, indicating that it had a negative effect on maize growth, preventing it from being about to produce food, sunting its growth.

Findings from the study support the hypothesis that increasing CuCl₂ does adversely affect maize growth and development. Researchers found that CuCl₂ affected the growth of Zea mays. Figure 11 and 8 shows that high levels of CuCl₂ were toxic, reducing the development of roots and leaves, affecting the plants’ overall shoot fresh weight (as indicated in figure 1). It is evident that managing copper concentrations is crucial for healthy maize development. The study shown in that article can help aid farmers about the dangers of soil contamination.

Hussain, M., Ghani, A., Imtiaz, A., Imran, M., Majid, A., Ikram, M., Nadeem, M., Fatima, H., &

Hassan, M. (2019). Effect of copper chloride on the growth of maize (Zea mays). Biological Sciences - PJSIR. 64B(2) 136-141.