PROJECT TOCOEN - THE FATE OF SELECTED POLLUTANTS IN THE ENVIRONMENT .19. THE PHYTOTOXICITY OF ORGANIC AND INORGANIC POLLUTANTS-CADMIUM - THE EFFECT OF CADMIUM ON THE GROWTH OF GERMINATING MAIZE PLANTS

The effect of increasing cadmium concentration (10, 100 and 1000 mu mol dm(-3)) on the growth, leaf area, content of assimilation pigments, cadmium content and the regulatory ability of the tissue of maize plants was investigated. The results obtained document, already after 6 days, a significant decrease of dry weight, reduction of leaf area, chlorophyll a and b as well as carotenoids in plants grown in the nutrient solution containing 1000 mu mol dm(-3) of cadmium. A highly significant inhibition of growth, leaf area and assimilation pigments in plants growing in the nutrient solutions with 100 and 10 mu mol dm(-3) of cadmium was registered after 17 days of cultivation. In plants growing in the nutrient solution containing 100 mu mol dm(-3) of cadmium a demonstrable reduction of the content of assimilation pigments was registered after 11 days of culture. With increasing cadmium concentration in the nutrient solution as well as in the plant tissue after 6 and 17 days of culture both the range of the regulatory zone and the extent of optimum pH increased into the acid region. The pH values of the isoelectric point decreased with increasing cadmium content in the solution.