Genotypic difference in effect of cadmium on development and mineral concentrations of cotton

A pot experiment was carried out in greenhouse to determine the effects of different cadmium (Cd) concentrations (0, 0.1, and I muM Cd) applied to a soil on growth parameters and genotypic variation in uptake and distribution of Cd with seven cotton genotypes (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Root length, plant height, fruiting branch number, and chlorophyll content decreased with increasing Cd concentration. On average of seven genotypes exposed to 0.1 muM Cd and I muM Cd treatments, plant height was reduced by 15.4 and 24.9% compared to control, respectively. Root length, chlorophyll content, leaf number were reduced by 6.8, 7.6%, and 0.2, 6.8%, and 2.6, 5.0% relative to control, respectively. Cadmium also had a significant effect on fruiting branch number, which reduced by 52.9 and 64.8% at 0.1 and I mum Cd treatments compared to the control, respectively. There was a highly significant difference in the reduction of these parameters among genotypes. Zhongmian16 was the least affected, and Simian3 was the most affected. There was a noticeable difference in the effect of Cd on mineral concentrations among seven cotton genotypes and the difference was basically coincided with varying magnitude of the root and shoot growth inhibition among genotypes. Simian3 appeared to be the most susceptible to cadmium with higher Cd concentration and lower zinc (Zn) concentration while Zhongmian16-2 the most tolerant genotype with lower Cd and higher Zn concentration in plants.