Effect of lead on carbohydrate mobilization in oat seeds during germination

In response to various concentrations of lead, the total amylolytic activity in the endosperm or embryonic axis of oat was suppressed 33 percent and 11 percent respectively while increased as germination advances towards 12 days at all treatment levels. Suppression of enzyme activity suggested that lead tended to retard the initial rise of enzyme activity. The results on starch utilization show reduced hydrolysis of major carbohydrate reserves in endosperm. Same trend was observed in the developing embryonic axis. It is suggested that seed metabolism is adversely affected by lead.