Cadmium effects on potassium content and pepper seedling growth in different peat ratios

Abstract

Effects of cadmium applications on plant growth and potassium contents of pepper seedlings were investigated in different mixtures of soil:peat ratios. This study was conducted with three different levels of Cd (Cd0=0, Cd1=2.5 and Cd2=5.0 ppm) and three different ratios of soil:peat (Pt0=soil:no peat, Pt10=soil:10% peat and Pt20=soil:20% peat) in a factorial experimental design with three replications. K contents of shoots and some criteria of pepper seedlings such as; shoot and root dry weights were significantly influenced with the soil:peat ratios. Interactions between soil:peat ratio and Cd significantly affected shoot and root dry weights and K contents of pepper seedlings. Application of 20% peat ratio significantly increased shoot dry weight. Mean root dryweights decreased with increasing Cd dose applications. The highest (7.0%) and the lowest (4.1%) K contents in shoots were determined in Pt20Cd2 and Pt0Cd2 applications, respectively. On the other hand, the highest (3.27%) and the lowest (2.12%) K contents in roots were determined in Pt0Cd2 and Pt20Cd0 applications, respectively. Mean Cd contentents in shoots were also significantly reduced with increasing K contents of shoots, especially in the mixture of soil:20% peat ratio.