Effect of analcite on cadmium phytoavailability and phytotoxity

The interactive effects of Cd and natural siliceous mineral analcite on Cd phytotoxicity and rate of accumulation in plant tissues have been analyzed. The test-plants of corn and hemp were grown in pots under controlled conditions of light, temperature, and soil moisture for 21 days in experiments modeling the following treatments: (1) without any amendments (control); (2) with the application of 0.1 % and 0.5 % (by weight) of CdSO4; (3) Cd salts (CdSO4) + analcite 0.1 g, 0.25 g, and 0.5 g per container. Test-plants performance was assessed by their growth characteristics (shoot height and root length), the content of photosynthetic pigments, macro- and micronutrients in leaves. The effect of Cd on maize and hemp plants inhibited their growth, chlorophyll biosynthesis in the leaves, led to a change in the balance of macro- and microelements, which leads to the accumulation of Cd in the tissues of shoots of both studied crops. Application of analcite partially compensated for the negative effects of Cd salts on the crop’s growth, chlorophyll content, and balance of nutrients and reduced Cd accumulation significantly in shoots.