Influence of NiSO4 doses on agronomic and bioaccumulative parameters in maize (Zea mays) plants during the vegetative stage

According to the list of essential micronutrients for agriculturally important plants, nickel (Ni) plays a key role in various physiological processes. This study aimed to evaluate the agronomic and bioaccumulative parameters of Ni in shoot and root tissues of transgenic maize plants during the vegetative phase under different Ni concentrations. Concentrations ranging from 0 to 600 mg L-1 of Ni, using NiSO4·5H2O as the source, were prepared and applied directly into the planting furrow at sowing of the transgenic maize hybrid Pioneer P3601 PWU. Standard cultural practices were carried out throughout the experimental period. Maize plants at the V7 stage were collected and analyzed for root and shoot length, fresh and dry biomass of roots and shoots, and Ni bioaccumulation in both tissues. The data showed that Ni doses affected shoot fresh mass, with a maximum of 0.82 g at 600 mg L-1, and bioaccumulative content in shoots and especially in roots, reaching 1.92 and 29.31 mg kg-1, respectively, at the same concentration. Ni doses influenced only shoot dry mass among the agronomic parameters, and the greatest bioaccumulative effect was observed in the roots of the transgenic maize hybrid Pioneer P3601 PWU.