Determination of EC 50 of Cd and evaluation of growth and biochemical response of Palak plants ( Beta vulgaris L . ) to different Cd treatments.

This study was designed to evaluate the growth, biochemical response and Cd accumulation pattern of Palak ( Beta vulgaris ), variety of All green H1 plants for a range of Cd treatments [control (0), 10 mg/L, 20 mg/L, 30 mg/L, 40 mg/L, 50 mg/L) at two sampling stages, 25 days after germination (25 DAG) and 50 DAG. The present research also quantified the EC 50 value of Cd for 50% biomass inhibition in palak plants. Increasing Cd concentration had pessimistic effects on growth and biomass. Plant height, biomass, total leaf area and yield decreased significantly on increasing Cd treatment at the two sampling stages (p<0.05). EC 50 for biomass reduction was found to be 27.42 mg/L. Total phenols, thiols and MDA content elevated on increasing Cd concentration. Photosynthetic pigments, chlorophyll a and b reduced significantly by 50.81% and 48.88%, respectively at highest 50 mg/L Cd treatment. A significant interaction (p<0.05) of Cd treatment × plant age was found on Cd content analysis at the two sampling stages, Cd content increased with increasing treatment duration.