Effect of Cadmium Chloride on Seed germinatio...

Effect of Cadmium Chloride on Seed germination, Seedling growth parameters, and proline content in Maize (Zea mays)

Author Name : Gulab S. Gugale, Bhushan P. Bhusare, Mukund S. Ambawade, Akshay S Kshatriya, Mukul M. Barwant, Anuradha K. Mhaske

ABSTRACT

Present investigation was undertaken in order to determine the effect of different concentrations of Cadmium Chloride (CdCl₂)on morphological and biochemical responses of Zea Mays. For this,different concentrations (20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 mg L^-1) of Cadmium Chloride were supplemented to the seeds of maize. Morphological observations were collected in terms of percentage of seed germination, shoot length, and root length. Highest percentage of seed germination (92.8%) and maximum shoot length (18.4±0.9 cm) was observed on40 mg L^-1 of CdCl₂ when compared with control (seed germination-85.7 %, shoot length- 17.1±0.7 cm). However 20 mg L^-1 of CdCl_2, found to be best for highest length of roots (9.2±0.3 cm) as compared to control (8.7±0.4 cm).Higher amount of total chlorophyll (61.6µg/mL) was recorded at 20mg L^-1 of CdCl₂. The proline content increases significantly with increasing the concentration of CdCl₂.The present study will be helpful to understand the potential use of maize in phytoextraction of heavy metal.

Keywords: Cadmium, Chlorophyll, Maize, Proline, Zea mays