Abstract
Chromium (Cr) used in the leather tanning industry and steel production have a negative impact on the environment. Chromium are toxic to plants. The mains of this research were to study the effect of chromium to the growth, chlorophyll content and in vivo nitrate reductase activity of Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench. The study was conducted by germinating Sorghum bicolor on straw paper tray with distilled water for 7 days, then acclimated for 12 days in medium sand with Hoagland (Zayed et al. 1998). Then treated with Hoagland containing Cr(III) (0 mg/kg; 4,5 mg/kg; and 13,6 mg/kg) and Cr(VI) (0 mg/kg; 1,8 mg/kg; and 4,5 mg/kg) for 30 days. Parameters were observed in terms of in vivo nitrate reductase activity, chlorophyll content, and growth. Chlorophyll content and nitrate reductase activity were measured by spectrophotometer Shimadzu UV-Vis. Sorghum bicolor growth decreased more significantly when growing under Cr(VI) than Cr (III). The largest decline in the dry weight of the badik and UPCA affected by Cr(VI) 4,5 mg/kg. Cr(VI) 4,5 mg/kg also reduced total chlorophyll 63% on badik and 72% on UPCA. While nitrate reductase activity on badik and UPCA affected by Cr(III) 13,6 mg/kg which decreased by 6% and 70%.
