Salicylic Acid Modifies Growth Performance and Nutrient Status of Rice (Oryza sativa) under Cadmium Stress

To investigate the toxic effects of Cd on seedling growth parameters and mineral nutrients and the impact of SA in the alleviation of Cd toxicity in four basmati rice genotypes (Basmati-198 Basmati-370 Basmati-2000 and Kashmir Basmati) the pot experiment was conducted in sand-filled pots under normal temperature (282C). After germination the seedlings were subjected to 0 100 500 1000 and 1500 M of Cd concentrations. The results showed reductions in different seedling growth attributes and the mineral nutrients at different Cd regimes. When SA was applied alone in the medium no change in root Cd or slight reduction in shoot Cd revealed the protective effect of SA against subsequent Cd toxicity that might be ascribed to the inhibition of Cd uptake. However with the elevating Cd stress SA reduced the root or shoot Cd contents improved the seedling growth attributes and the mineral nutrients exhibiting the ameliorating impact to Cd toxicity. Variable genotypic responses were observed for different seedling growth traits and the status of mineral nutrients. Under elevating Cd levels Basmati-198 showed less Cd accumulation revealing reduced toxic effects of Cd on seedling growth traits and the mineral nutrients as compared to other rice genotypes. Copyright 2014 Friends Science Publishers