The Chlorophyll, Cadmium and Zinc Contents in Sunflower Leaves under Cadmium and Zinc Stress Conditions

Abstrakt

In short-term laboratory tests, changes in Cd, Zn and plant pigment (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carote¬noids) contents in leaves of sunflower grown under Cd and Zn stress conditions were investigated. CdCl₂ and Zn acetate solutions were applied in the amounts 20 mg Cd or Zn per kg of soil. The presence of Cd or Zn lowered the contents of chlorophylls a and b by 6 % or 9.2 %, respectively. Statistically significant reduction of both chlorophylls and carotenoids was observed in the treatment with Cd and Zn. Total chlorophyll and carotenoids contents decreased in the order: Cd and Zn < Cd < Zn. A statistically significant increase in the Cd content of 17.2 % and reduction in the Zn content of 17.2 % were observed by application of Cd and Zn (1:1).