Triacontanol can protect Erythrina variegata from cadmium toxicity

The simultaneous effect of 0, 10, 100 and 1000 μmol/L Cd2+ [Cd(NO3)2 × 4H2O] and 1 mg kg−1 (H2O) triacontanol [TRIA] spray on certain parameters of growth, pigments, starch, 14CO2 fixation, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (Rubisco), nitrate reductase (NR) and photosynthesis in Erythrina variegata seedlings was studied. With increasing Cd2+ concentration in the nutrient solution the monitored activities decreased. When the seedlings were subsequently sprayed with triacontanol the cadmium effect was partially or completely reversed indicating that TRIA can protect from cadmium toxicity.