Impact of cadmium and zinc on the growth of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) shoots and roots

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of different concentrations of cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) on the growth of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) shoots and roots in the first stages of its life. An inhibitory effect of all investigated concentrations of Cd on the growth of shoots and roots was ascertained. A significant (p <0.05) inhibitory effect on the growth of shoots and roots was determined at 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 mM concentrations of Cd. Low (0.025 mM and 0.05 mM) concentrations of the Zn cause growth promotion of shoots and roots. Higher (0.1, 0.3, 0.5 and 1.2 mM) concentrations of Zn lead to a significant (p<0.05) inhibitory effect on the growth of shoots and roots. Low concentrations (0.025 and 0.05 mM) of Zn enhanced root growth by 1.3% and 6.2%, while higher (0.1, 0.3, 0.5 and 1.2 mM) concentrations of this metal lead to root growth inhibition by 27.7%, 60.0%, 77.6% and 86.3% respectively. The results of linear regression analysis confirm the inhibitory impact of different concentrations of Cd and Zn on white clover growth, and the inhibition increases with higher concentration.