Effect of cadmium and salinity stresses on growth and antioxidant enzyme activities of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

A hydroponics experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of salinity (NaCl) and cadmium (Cd) stresses on growth, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant enzyme activities of three wheat cultivars differing in salt tolerance. Cd and NaCl stresses inhibited plant growth, reduced chlorophyll content, and increased melondialdehyde content and the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase. The combined effect of NaCl and Cd on these parameters was larger than both NaCl and Cd alone. There was an obvious difference in the response to the both stresses among the three genotypes, with Pir Sabak-85 being less affected.