Zeolite ameliorates the adverse effect of cadmium contamination on growth and nodulation of soybean plant (Glycine max L.)

Abstract

In present study effect of cadmium (Cd) contamination and Zeolite presence in growth media on soybean plants (Glycine max L.) was evaluated. The experiment was conducted as a 3x3 factorial design in a green house with 3 replications. Different levels of zeoilte (0, 2 and 5 g kg-1 soil) and Cd (0, 10 and 25 mg kg-1 soil) were added and mixed with soil thoroughly. The seeds of soybean plants cv. ‘Williams’ were inoculated. Results indicated that Cd contamination reduced shoot and root dry weight, number and weight of nodules and also N, P, K, Fe, Cu and Mn content in plant tissues in contrast, zeolite application had promoting influence on shoot and root dry weight in both cases of Cd presence and absence. It also mitigates the negative impact of Cd contamination on mineral elements content of shoots. Application of zeolite reduced the Cd accumulation within plants. Our findings demonstrated a general negative effect of Cd presence in growth media of plants and a beneficial and promoting influence of zeloite application on plant growth. In fact zeolite has the ability of reducing the adverse effects of Cd contamination.