Cadmium contamination in agricultural soils is of global concern because its concentration in soils is enhanced now-a-day due to application of pesticides and phosphatic fertilizers. Three high yielding low land rice varieties of Odisha, var. Hiranmayee, var. Mrunalini and var. Jagannath, were investigated for their genotypic responses under low doses (0 to 500 μM) of cadmium in hydroponic cultures. Rice varieties were grown in YS nutrient solution with different concentrations of Cd and photosynthetic pigment analysis, heavy metal tolerance indices, phytotoxic symptoms and overall plant growth parameters were evaluated every 5 day interval for 20 days. Chlorophyll (Chl) and carotenoids pigment levels significantly decreased over time with increasing Cd concentration. Increased Chl a/b ratio indicated a marked fluctuations in the Chl b level. Total Chl content reduced with a prolongation of treatments, proportionately with the test concentrations. Chlorosis was primarily observed from 14th day of the treatment. Root growth was inhibited with a conspicuous blackening and loss of adventitious rootlets at 200 and 500 μM of Cd2+ in the solution, while 10 and 50 μM Cd2+ in nutrient solution stimulated the plant growth. Tolerance index values reported in var. Mrunalini to be of higher Cd tolerance while var. Jagannath to be lower Cd tolerance at Cd level below 500 μM.
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