| Abstract: | To ascertain the genotypic difference of cadmium tolerance of different varieties of maize, effects of cadmium stress on the germination rate, germination index, vigor index, root length and fresh weight, and shoot length and fresh weight of seeds of 12 main varieties of maize widely cultivated in central Hunan were studied. The results showed that the cadmium stress had small impact on the germination rate and germination index of maize seeds, but it had obvious effects on the vigor index, root and shoot growth of maize seeds, and the inhibition effects on the roots were more obvious than the shoots. Among the 12 varieties of maize, Qiandan 12, Dushiliren, Nuobatianxia and Nongda 3138 were tolerant to cadmium stress, while Tianguan 218 was sensitive to cadmium stress, and the tolerance of other varieties of maize to cadmium stress was moderate. |
