Growth and antioxidative responses to excess Cadmium in kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L).

Abstract

In order to study the mechanisms responsible for cadmium (Cd) detoxification in Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabi- nus L), the growth and antioxidative responses of the plant grown on a Cd polluted soil were investigated. Kenaf seeds were grown in artificially contaminated soils containing in- creasing concentrations of Cd as CdCl2 (0, 150, 300, 450 and 600 mg Cd kg-1) for 14 weeks in a screenhouse. Growth parameters (plant height and stem girth), Cd con- centration, oxidative lipid peroxidation, glutathione (GSH) content, activity of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dis- mutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) were measured using established techniques. Cd in- hibits growth as shown by decrease in plant height and stem girth at all concentrations used compared with control. Plant Cd concentrations increased with soil Cd con- centrations, with maximum Cd uptake being 73.37±8.82 mg kg-1 dry weight at 600 mg Cd kg-1.