Alleviation of Cadmium Toxicity on the Germination Characteristics of Balangu [Lallemantia royleana (Benth.) Benth.] and Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) Seeds by using Ascorbic Acid

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Department of Plant Production, University of Torbat Heydarieh, Torbat Heydarieh, Iran

Abstract

The present research aimed to investigate the effect of different concentrations of cadmium and ascorbic acid on some characteristics of germination and early growth of balangu [Lallemantia royleana (Benth.) Benth.] and basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). This experiment was as a factorial layout based on a completely randomized design with two factors and three repetitions. The experimental treatments included four levels of cadmium sulfate 0, 20, 40, and 60 mg l-1 and three levels of ascorbic acid 0, 200, and 400 mg l-1. The results showed that the increase in the concentration of cadmium caused a decrease in the length of the radicle, the number of normal seedlings, germination percentage, seed germination, seedling weight, and of course, an increase in the weight of the balangu plumule.  In basil, root length decreased by 29.1, 18.6, and 35.2% in treatments with 20, 40, and 60 mg l-1 of Cd compared to the control. In other words, radicle length significantly declined with rising Cd concentration from 0 to 60 mg l-1. Ascorbic acid improved the characteristics of the length of the radicle, germination rate, and percentage in balangu. In addition, ascorbic acid mitigated the negative effects of cadmium and increased the number of normal balangu seedlings, especially at concentrations of 40 and 60 mg l-1 of cadmium. Basil root length increased with 200 and 400 mg l-1 of ascorbic acid application. In general, it seems that seed pretreatment with ascorbic acid could be used as a strategy to moderate the negative effects of Cd stress.

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References

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Journal of Medicinal plants and By-products
Volume 14, Issue 4
July and August 2025
Pages 328-335

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