Response of cadmium-stressed Brassica rapa to gamma rays & potassium

The effects of cadmium chloride concentrations (25, 50, 75 and 100 mg/kg soil), low doses of gamma irradiation (15, 30, 45 and 60 Gy), potassium chloride (60 mg/kg soil) and the combination between cadmium + gamma and cadmium + potassium on Brassica rapa germination, growth, pigmentation, primary and secondary metabolites and antioxidative potential were investigated under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. Germination percentage and the growth of the plant root and shoot decreased progressively by increasing cadmium chloride concentrations. Gamma irradiation and potassium treatment enhanced the germination and the plant growth and reduced cadmium toxicity when combined with it. The main deleterious effects of cadmium toxicity on primary and secondary metabolism, as well as antioxidant system, and the possible ameliorative effect of low gamma irradiation doses and potassium chloride were studied and discussed in details.