Study the Effect of Cadmium Stress on Morphological Traits and Cadmium Accumulation in Barley

Cadmium is a toxic metal that affect human and other organism’s life. In other to study the effect of Cd stress on morphological traits in 40 barley genotypes, a split plot experiment was conducted based on completely randomized design with three replications at the University of Mohaghegh Ardabili in 2011. CdCl2 was used in two levels (control and 50 μmol). Seeds were cultivated in perlite and Pit moss medium, and Hogland nutrient solutions (with and without Cd) were used for irrigation. After maturity stage morphological traits were measured. Analysis of variance showed considerable variation for Cd accumulation between the genotypes. At control level, the genotypes had not accumulation of Cd. At Cd stress level, the grains of Abidar, Dasht, Sahra, GhareArpa, Yensivi, Daytonrani and Sahand varietis and some of lines had not accumulation of Cd and the line number of 18 (F-A2-11) and the Bahman varietis had highest Cd accumulation. Also, the highest accumulation of Cd in the shoot and leaves was observed in the line number of 18. Then, the lines 24, 25, 29 and Bahman variety had higher Cd accumulation in the shoot and leaves. The lines 3, 6, 7, 12, 13, 16 and 20 and Yensivi and Makoei varieties had the lowest Cd accumulation in the shoot and leaves. In total, Cd stress reduced measured traits mean in most genotypes. Cluster analysis of the genotypes based on measured traits categorized the genotypes into five groups. At control and Cd stress levels. The Gharearpa variety had higher mean for most traits and at control and stress levels located in groups that had higher traits average than other groups.