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Growth and Water Movement in Silver Maple Seedlings Affected by Cadmium
Author(s) -
Lamoreaux Robert J.,
Chaney William R.
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq1977.00472425000600020021x
Subject(s) - xylem , cadmium , seedling , chemistry , dry weight , tracheid , maple , horticulture , cadmium chloride , botany , biology , organic chemistry
Effect of cadmium chloride on dry weight accumulation, height growth, and relative conductivity of stems of silver maple ( Acer saccharinum L.) seedlings exposed to 0, 5, 10, or 20 ppm CdCl 2 · 2½ H 2 O (on weight basis of rooting media) was determined. Leaf, stem, and root dry weight were significantly reduced by all CdCl 2 treatments. Seedling height at 8 weeks was severely reduced and strongly correlated with applied CdCl 2 levels. Relative conductivity of excised stem sections was significantly reduced by Cd treatment. The reduction was caused by (i) a progressive decrease in the proportion of xylem tissue available for water conduction, (ii) reduced size of vessels and tracheids, and (iii) partial blockage of xylem elements by cellular debris or gums. These findings are discussed in relation to water stress.