Toxicity and bioaccumulation of Cu and Ni in plants during the vegetative stage of hybrid maize grown in dystroferric red latosol

Abstract

Heavy metals such as Cu2+ and Ni2+ can promote bioaccumulation and induce phytotoxic effects in various plant groups, including agriculturally important species such as maize (Zea mays L.). In this study, we assessed the effects of different concentrations of these metals, which act as micronutrients at low levels but become toxic at elevated doses. Increasing concentrations of Cu and Ni (mg L-1) were applied via nutrient solution to dystroferric Red Latosol cultivated with the hybrid maize Pioneer P3601 PWU. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse and evaluated at the V5 growth stage. Our results showed that concentrations above 5 mg L-1 impaired both shoot and root development, with severely toxic effects observed at the highest concentrations (350 and 600 mg L-1). We conclude that Cu and Ni levels exceeding 5 mg L-1 negatively affect the vegetative growth of hybrid maize and exhibit significant translocation between roots and shoots, ultimately compromising plant development