Effect of salicylic acid pretreatment on cadmium toxicity in wheat

Cadmium (100, 400 and 1000 mu M CdCl2) treatments resulted in the inhibition of root dry biomass, root elongation and increased Cd accumulation in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) roots. Further, these treatments decreased relative water content, chlorophyll content, (CO2)-C-14-fixation, activities of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase and abscisic acid content while increased malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide and free proline contents. Chloroplast and root ultrastructure was also changed. Pretreatment of seeds with SA (500 mu M) for 20 h resulted in amelioration of these effects.