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To assess nickel-induced toxicity in plants, Zea mays seeds were germinated and cultured on nutrient solution with nickel concentrations of 0, 50, 100 and 200 μM for a period of two weeks. Its effects on the growth, Hill reaction and photosynthetic pigments content were then investigated. The fresh and dry weight of leaves and roots increased in 50 μM nickel, but decreased in 100 and 200 μM. The decline in length of root and shoot were observed by increasing nickel concentration. According to the results, root and shoot showed differential growth response to various nickel concentrations. Nickel concentrations up to 100 μM caused increase in the content of chlorophyll a, but resulted in decrease at 200 μM nickel. No significant changes in chlorophyll b and carotenoids contents were observed. The rate of Hill reaction, as the ability of chlorophyll a in the reaction center of PSII₆₈₀ to split water, decreased by increase in nickel concentration.

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Water stress is one of the most important factors limiting the growth and yield of plants in many parts of the world. In order to evaluate the effects of water stress on some morphological, physiological and antioxidant enzyme activity traits of lentil, four lentil cultivars (i.e. Gachsaran, Kimia, Ziba and Robat) in four water deficit treatments including 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of the field capacity (control) were studied in a factorial experiment, based on a completely randomized design with three replications. Water stress at 25 and 50% field capacity significantly decreased morpho-physiological traits and significantly increased antioxidant enzyme activity, proline and protein contents of all genotypes in comparison with the control group. Gachsaran and Robat cultivars were superior in most traits in comparison with the Kimia and Ziba cultivars. Under severe stress, the amounts of  proline and protein contents, CAT and SOD enzyme activity were significantly higher in Robat and Gachsaran cultivars than those of the Kimiya and Ziba cultivars. Results showed that Robat and Gachsaran cultivars were probably affected less by water stress due to more stress tolerance using various mechanisms such as more antioxidant enzyme activity, increased proline, proteins and photosynthetic pigments contents. Studied traits were introduced as suitable markers for identification of drought tolerant genotypes. Accordingly, Robat and Gachsaran cultivars were introduced as tolerant cultivars for cultivation under rainfed conditions.