Foliar application of Selenium reduced cadmium uptake in Abelmoschus esculentus L.

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of foliar application of selenium (Se) against Cadmium (Cd)
toxicity on the plant growth, biochemical analysis and Cd and Se content in Okra (Abelmoschus
esculentus) plant. The experiment was carried out under greenhouse conditions. Cadmium as added to the
soil at six concentrations (0, 5, 25, 50, 100 and 250 as CdCl2) mg/kg). For each Cd treatment, three
concentration of Se (0, 0.5 and 1.0 μM) were applied as foliar spray. The results showed that increasing
Cd concentration in the soil decreased the plant growth as well as increased the antioxidant activity.
Application of Se to Cd challenged plants caused an increase in pigment content and enzyme activity.
More importantly, low doses of Se reduced the shoot Cd content in the okra plant; however, high level of
Se negatively influenced plant growth under Cd toxicity. Overall, Se reduced the cadmium toxicity in
plants and the effects were dose-dependent.