Effect of Cadmium and Zeolite on Vegetative Growth Parameters of Cress (Lepidium sativum L.) and Radish (Raphanuss ativus L.)

In order to investigate the effect of cadmium and zeolite on vegetative growth of cress and radish a factorial experiment carried out in a completely randomized design with 3 replications at Research Station of Tabriz University. Cadmium as the first factor at 5 concentrations (0, 5, 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg soil) from cadmium sulfate and zeolite (Klinoptiolite, Sabzevar) as the second factor with two levels (0 and 1% w/w soil) were studied. The result showed that cadmium significantly affected dry and fresh weight and leaf area of cress and root weight, length and diameter and leaf fresh and dry weight of radish. Zeolite only affected cress leaf area and fresh weight significantly. Treatment with 40 mg/kg Cd led to decreasing of radish root fresh and dry weight about 38 and 36% respectively. Application of zeolite in the soil improved growth characteristics of radish, whereas this amendment positive effect on cress was not observed. Cress leaf area was increased 2-fold by the addition of zeolite in 20 mg/kg Cd treatment. Cadmium had negative effect on growth characteristics of both plant and its negative effects on some traits was reduced by application of zeolite.