Effect of sodium fluoride on germination, seedling growth and biochemical attributes in linseed varieties (Linum usitatissimum L.)

Fluoride is a potential threat to crop plants due to its inherent toxicity and its ability to move within plant tissues. The goal of the current study was to determine how sodium fluoride affected physiological, morphological, and biochemical parameters during the germination and seedling development of the T-397 and Shekhar linseed cultivars. Seeds were exposed to various sodium fluoride (NaF) concentrations (0.1 mM, 0.5 mM, 1.0 mM, 2.5 mM, 5.0 mM, and 10.0 mM) during the experiment. The findings of this investigation unequivocally demonstrated the substantial detrimental effects of sodium fluoride on multiple aspects of linseed growth and development. As the NaF concentration increased, the adverse impacts were magnified, highlighting a concentration-dependent relationship. Notably, the levels of total soluble sugars and proline content exhibited a remarkable fourfold increase as the sodium fluoride concentration escalated. This observation suggests that sodium fluoride may disrupt the normal metabolic processes in linseed, leading to alterations in sugar and proline metabolism. Interestingly, even at the lowest tested concentration of 0.1 mM NaF, linseed displayed susceptibility to fluoride-induced growth inhibition. This suggests that even at very modest levels of contamination, linseed cultivars are susceptible to fluoride stress, which may have an impact on crop yield in fluoridated areas. It is important to remember that this study did not definitively show any differences in the examined cultivars' sensitivity to fluoride stress; therefore more investigation is required to identify which type of linseed is more susceptible to this stress. This study's conclusion emphasizes the substantial harm that sodium fluoride causes to a number of vital indicators of seedling growth and germination of linseed. These results highlight the significance of comprehending the mechanisms underlying plant toxicity to fluoride and the possible ramifications for crop agriculture.