The Effects of Mercury Compounds on the Growth and Orientation of Cucumber Seedlings

Mercuric chloride alone, in admixture with fluorescein or chemically combined as mercurochrome inhibited cucumber growth and induced disorientation of root and shoot. The inhibitory effects of Hg-ion were reduced but the disorienting (ageotropic) effects enhanced by the presence of fluorescein. In addition to mercury, nine other elements were tested at concentrations up to 100 mg/l (as metal ion). Disorientation was induced by Zn, Ag, Cd, In, Pt and Hg. Pb and Au were not toxic, but Ga and Tl were too inhibitory to permit disturbances in orientation.