Author(s):

Kuntal Shah, AU Mankad and MN Reddy

Abstract: Tagetes erecta L. was raised in pots containing soil treated with various concentrations of Cd (NO₃)₂ (6, 12, 18, 24 and 30mg/kg). At maturity plants were separated into root, stem, leaves and inflorescence and cadmium accumulated in each part was quantified. The effect of cadmium accumulation on growth was analyzed by the measurement of various parameters like root and shoot length, fresh and dry weight of root and shoot and total leaf area per plant. Moreover effect of cadmium accumulation on biochemical parameters was checked by quantitative estimation of various biochemical parameters like chlorophyll, total protein, free amino acids, total sugar, reducing sugar and starch. Results showed that there is no remarkable negative effect of accumulation of lead on the morphological growth of the plant. Biochemical analysis showed that amount of total protein continuously decreased whereas that of free amino acids continuously increased with increasing concentrations of cadmium. Amount of chlorophyll, total sugar, reducing sugar and starch continuously increased till mid-level i.e., Cd-18mg/kg and then continuously decreased at higher concentrations. Results of quantitative estimation of Cd in root, stem, leaves and inflorescence showed that roots accumulated highest amount of Cd followed by stem and leaves, whereas inflorescence contained least amount of Cd.

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