The Influence of Cadmium Toxicity on Some Physiological Parameters as Affected by Iron in Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) Plant

The effects of interaction between cadmium chloride (CdCl₂) and iron (Fe)- ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) were studied in rice plant. The seedlings of rice were treated with 0, 50, and 100 μM CdCl₂ supplemented with 5, 10 and 20 ppm Fe as Fe-EDTA for 30 days. Plants were grown under controlled condition. In all the plants treated with CdCl_2, growth parameters [relative leaf growth rate (RLGR), specific leaf area (SLA), and leaf water content area (LWCA)], soluble, and unsoluble sugars contents decreased. Addition of Fe-EDTA moderated cadmium effects. Under CdCl₂ stress without Fe, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, proline content, catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) activity increased, however, in solutions containing both CdCl₂ and Fe-EDTA, MDA content, proline content and activities of antioxidant enzymes decreased. In 50 μM CdCl₂, total protein content increased but in 100 μM decreased. With increasing Fe in solutions containing CdCl₂, protein content decreased. The results indicated that with increasing Fe-EDTA in CdCl₂ treated plants, the effects of toxicity of Cd decreased.