Effect of cadmium nitrate on morphological parameters of Lupinus luteus L. and L. angustifolius L.

Abstract

Katarzyna Możdżeń, Patrycja Zagata, Grzegorz Migdałek, Grzegorz Rut, Andrzej Rzepka

The plants growing in the natural environment are exposed to the influence of adverse factors which can cause metabolic disturbances, inhibition of growth, damage tissues and organs. The particular threats to plants are heavy metals, especially cadmium which inhibits plant growth and development. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of cadmium nitrate at concentrations of 0.01, 0.05 and 0.1 mM on seed germination, plants length, fresh and dry weight and the water content in Lupinus luteus L. and L. angustifolius L. The cadmium which is present in soil causes inhibition of seed germination, changes in root and hypocotyl length, value of fresh to dry weight ratio and the water content in plants organs.