Hocine Benabid and Mohamed Ghorab
Studies carried out in different plant species have revealed that Cd is strongly phytotoxic and causes growth inhibition and even plant death, although the mechanisms involved in…
Abstract
Studies carried out in different plant species have revealed that Cd is strongly phytotoxic and causes growth inhibition and even plant death, although the mechanisms involved in its toxicity are still not completely understood. The present investigation is aimed at highlighting some of the problems related to Cd and trying to answer some of the questions that have arisen as a consequence of Cd behaviour and its toxic nature to plant species. The culture experiment of beans Phaseolus vulgaris was carried out in a hydroponic solution with variable Cd concentrations to determine the effects of different concentrations of Cd on photosynthesis and chlorophyll content. Chlorosis was the primary symptom caused by Cd toxic levels and this led to the study of its causes by investigating the effect of Cd on Chlorophyll formation and its content in plants. In that respect, one question appeared to be important about the nature of the effect of Cd on chlorophyll and Mg concentration was the first conclusion obtained on the basis of evidence achieved from analysis of the chlorophyll content by atomic absorption and ultra violet spectroscopy.