Responses of Beta vulgaris exposed to cadmium and zinc through soil drenching.

The present study investigates the responses of Indian palak (Beta vulgaris L. cv. All Green H1) exposed to cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) at growth, biochemical and physiological levels. The results revealed that Cd and Zn accumulation was higher in shoots as compared to the roots of B. vulgaris plants. The increased application rates of Zn in combination with Cd significantly reduced the accumulation of Cd in below and above ground parts of B. vulgaris, whereas it increased Zn accumulation. Treatments of B. vulgaris with Cd and Zn individually or in combination significantly reduced the leaf area, biomass, photosynthetic pigments, photosynthetic rate, Fv/Fm ratio and protein contents at p < 0.05. Contrary to this, lipid peroxidation, ascorbic acid, proline and thiol contents and peroxidase activity increased significantly as compared to control at p < 0.05. The results also revealed that the combined effectof Cd and Zn were more pronounced at higher concentrations as compared to other treatments. Thus, the present study suggests that Zn may be applied to Cd contaminated field to reduce Cd accumulation in plants. However, finding of a suitable dose and toxicity level of Zn must be worked out further its application.