DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sajb.2024.v12i11.002

Pages: 391-397

Ferrous iron toxicity is the most important problem of heavy metal research due to its widespread environmental occurrence and its harmful effects on plant growth and metabolism. Evaluating the impact of ferrous iron induced toxicity provides valuable insights into the biochemical and physiological responses of plants, including alterations in growth parameters, nutrient content and antioxidant defense systems. This study is aimed to investigate the effects of ferrous iron toxicity on growth, biochemical alterations and enzymatic antioxidant status in Capsicum annuum L. Experimental Capsicum annuum plants were divided into 4 groups. Group 1 served as control, received normal nutrients and water, while Groups 2, 3 and 4 were treated with increasing concentrations of ferrous iron 100, 200 and 400 mg respectively. The results demonstrated that ferrous iron significantly reduced several growth parameters, including germination percentage, root length, shoot length, fresh weight, dry weight and vigour index. Moreover, higher concentrations of ferrous iron led to a decrease in carbohydrate and protein levels, as well as reduction in the activities of important enzymic antioxidants such as catalase and superoxide dismutase indicating a weakened oxidative defense system. The findings highlight the harmful effects of ferrous iron toxicity in Capsicum annuum, underscoring the potential risks to agricultural productivity. This research not only deepens our understanding of ferrous iron induced toxicity but also emphasizes the necessity to developing strategies to protect crops from metal toxicity, ensuring sustainable agriculture and food security in contaminated environments.