Effects of cadmium stress on growth and physiological characteristics of Panax ginseng
10.7501/j.issn.0253-2670.2016.04.022
- Author:
Hong-Fei REN
1
Author Information
1. Jilin Agricultural University
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Anti-oxidant enzymes;
Cadmium stress;
Malondialdehyde;
Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer;
Relative growth rate;
SPAD
- From:
Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs
2016;47(4):661-665
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective: To investigate the effects of cadmium (Cd) stress on the growth and physiological characteristics of Panax ginseng (ginseng). Methods: Two-year old ginseng was cultivated in barrels in phytotrone with different concentration of Cd (0, 0.3, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 mg/kg) soil for a whole growth period. In red fruit stage, the contents of biomass and SPAD, the activities of anti-oxidant enzymes, and contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined and analyzed. Results: With Cd concentration increasing, the relative growth rate of ginseng expressed a slowly decreasing trend, and showed negative linear correlations with Cd stress level (P<0.05); The SPAD value of ginseng showed a decline; But the activities of anti-oxidant enzymes of different parts of ginseng and the contents of MDA decreased on different levels. The contents of MDA from leaves and roots showed linear correlations with Cd stress level (P<0.05). Contents of MDA in different positions of ginseng showed as: leaf > stem > root. Conclusion: Ginseng has an adaptability to the contaminated soil with Cd (≤1.0 mg/kg), and at this time ginseng can enhance the activity of anti-oxidant enzyme and other physiological and biochemical responses to eliminate reactive oxygen species, maintain stability of the cell membrane, alleviate the harm from the stress of Cd; Though with Cd (>1 mg/kg), the contents of MDA could increase significantly, and the oxidative damage of ginseng is very serious. The growth of plants is affected, resulting in a decline in ginseng biomass.
