Accumulation of cadmium in three sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) cultivars

The effects of different concentrations of Cadmium on the growth of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) and its accumulation in roots, stem and leaves were investigated using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The concentrations of Cadmium chloride ranged from 10(-5) M to 10(-3) Seedlings of three sunflower cultivars; viz., No. 665, RH118 and QFS14 exposed to 10(-3) M Cd exhibited substantial growth reduction and all of them died 10 days after treatment application. Growth of roots and shoots was inhibited at concentrations of 10(-5) M and 10(-4) M Cd during the entire experiment (20 days). Cadmium accumulation in roots stems and leaves increased significantly (p < 0.05) with increasing Cd concentration. Cadmium was concentrated mainly in the roots, and variable amounts of Cd were also transported to stem and leaves. Among the three cultivars, RH118 produced more roots and higher biomass than No. 665 and had a greater ability to accumulate Cd when compared with QFS14.