PHYSIOLOGICAL AND NUTRIENT CHANGES IN SWEET PEPPER (Capsicum annuum L.) SEEDLINGS CAUSED BY CADMIUM

Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic element to living organisms and represents a potential environmental pollution problem. Some crops are severely damaged when grown in the presence of toxic Cd levels, although the extent of the damage varies among species, even among varieties. In this study two Cd concentrations (15 and 30 mu M) added to the nutrient solution used for growing Yolo Wonder variety sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) seedlings were evaluated. As a control, seedlings were kept in a nutrient solution without Cd. The seedlings showed high sensitivity to Cd. Plant height decreased by 22.43 and 36.24 % with the addition of 15 and 30 mu M compared to the control treatment, respectively. Also, the foliar area of seedlings treated with 30 mu M Cd was reduced by about 80 % compared to control plants. Chlorophyll content (a, b and total) also decreased with the presence of Cd in solution. The accumulation of N, P and K in planta decreased with increasing Cd concentration in the nutrient solution, while Cd accumulation in plant tissue was directly proportional to the Cd level added to the nutrient solution. The accumulation by plant organs in descending order was as follows: roots > leaves > stems.