EFFECTS OF CADMIUM AND KINETIN ON CHLOROPHYLL CONTENT, SACCHARIDES AND DRY-MATTER ACCUMULATION IN SUNFLOWER PLANTS

Cadmium (Cd) and kinetin (Kin) significantly affected the growth and c ontents of chlorophyll (Chl) and of soluble and reserve (hydrolysable) saccharides in sunflower plants. Cd-treated plants had lower contents of Chl and soluble saccharides and produced less dry matter than cont rol (Cd-untreated) plants. Chl a stability to heat (CSI) increased at all Cd concentrations. The same was true for Chl b stability (0 - 10 m u M Cd). Spraying sunflower shoots with Kin solutions counteracted the deleterious effects of Cd. Kin application enhanced the Chl a and b c ontents, Chl a/b ratio, content of soluble saccharides and dry matter, and to less extent Chi stability. The relative role of Kin in affecti ng the parameters tested (as indicated by eta(2) values) was predomina nt while that of Cd was subsidiary except for Chl a stability. The rol e of Cd x Kin interaction was dominant for hydrolysable saccharides. H ence spraying shoots of plants grown under increasing Cd concentration with Kin can partially alleviate inhibitory effects of cadmium.