Responses of Abelmoschus esculentus L. (lady's finger) to elevated levels of Zn and Cd

Abstract

The paper deals with the accumulation of heavy metals and responses of lady's finger (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) plants grown to elevated levels of zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd), applied singly as well as in combination. Results showed that Zn + Cd application increased Zn accumulation in root, stem and leaves of the plant, but Cd accumulation decreased. The magnitude of adverse effects on all the measured parameters was lower under Zn + Cd treatment as compared to the sum of responses to individual treatments of Zn and Cd. Evidently, Zn and Cd exhibited antagonistic behaviour when applied in combination, resulting into reduced accumulation of Cd in plants. © International Society for Tropical Ecology.