Effects of Cadmium (Cd) on Dry Matter and on Cd Concentration in Leaves and Roots of Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea L.)

Abstract

The aim of this research was to examine the effect of Cd on leaves dry matter (LDM), root dry matter (RDM) and on Cd concentration in leaves (Cd-leaves) and roots (Cd-roots) of purple coneflower (E. purpurea) grown in an acid and in a neutral substrate. A completely randomized block design with four treatments (0-control, 1, 2, and 5 mg Cd L-1) and six replications for each treatment and each substrate (acid, neutral) was conducted in pot experiments. Cd concentration in leaves grown in acid substrate as well as in roots of plants grown in neutral substrate increased at Cd rates greater than 2 mg Cd L-1. Cd concentration in roots of the plants grown in neutral substrate raised with increasing doses of Cd. In general Cd concentration in the roots and leaves of purple coneflower grown either in acid or in neutral substrate was affected by Cd applications.