Poster: Heavy metals & phytoremediation

Abs # 60: Cadmium-induced changes in Seed Germination, Root and Shoot Growth and Photosynthesis of Green Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Presenter:	Singh, Santokh , santokh@interchange.ubc.ca
Authors	Singh, Santokh  (A)   Tunbridge, Nicole  (A)   Mehroke, Jarnail  (A)
Affiliations:	(A): Dept. Botany, University of British Columbia
Web Site:	http://www.botany.ubc.ca/singh.html

Cadmium is a ubiquitous compound in agricultural soils due to natural and anthropogenic processes. Research into the effects of cadmium on plant growth has primarily focused on the toxic concentration range. The objective of this project was to determine both physiologically safe as well as toxic cadmium concentrations in relation to growth and development of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) plants. Seed germination, root and shoot growth and photosynthetic rates in bean seedlings treated with cadmium chloride (CdCl₂) concentrations ranging from 10^-9 M to 10^-3 M were compared to controls. Negative impacts on plant growth were observed at CdCl₂ concentrations as low as 10^-5 M to 10^-4 M. Preliminary evidence suggests a physiologically non-toxic and even a potentially beneficial role for cadmium at concentrations below 10^-5 M. The significance of these findings will be discussed.