Phytotoxic effects of cadmium on photosynthesis pigments in dill (Anethum graveolens)

The effect of concentration of cadmium on chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b, total chlorophyll, carotenoids and anthocyanins content of dill (Anethum graveolens) ecotypes were investigated. This study was conducted under current hydroponic system in the greenhouse of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz. The results showed that the application of cadmium at lower level (100 ?M Cd) as cadmium chloride resulted increase in chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b and total chlorophyll compared with the control, but the effect of high concentration (200 ?M Cd) was not significant. The plant exhibited Cd showed an increase in anthocyanin and carotenoid pigments. Ecotypes- by-stress interaction was not significant for any of the traits. Significant differences were observed among ecotypes for chlorophyll-b and carotenoid. Shahreza ecotype showed the highest chlorophyll-b and carotenoid content under cadmium stress while Ardabil and Esfahan ecotypes had the lowest content.