The Study of Physiological Responses of Musa acuminata var. Mas to Interaction of Salinity and Cadmium

Soil salinity affects plant growth and development due to harmful ion effects and water stress caused by reduced osmotic potential in the soil solution. Furthermore, Cd is a pollutant that has been emitted into the environment for decades. Major anthropogenic sources are Cd-containing phosphate fertilizers, sewage sludge and industrial emissions. Plants undergo one or more stress during their life cycle. The effects of 0,25,50 µM Cd2+ (Cd(NO3)2.4H2O) and 0,50,75,100,125,150 mM NaCl on growth , the content of some ions and proline contents in Banana (Musa acuminata var. Mas) were investigated in present study. With increasing concentrations of Cd2+ or NaCl alone in culture media, growth parameters, Chlorophylls and proline contents decreased. Combination treatment with salinity and cadmium decreased the negative effects observed following the two stresses alone. Plants exhibiting growth retardation, none cadmium accumulation in response to one mild stress factor (75,100,125 mM NaCl).the exposure of plants to cadmium caused a partial reversal of effect of salinity. Root and shoot growth, ion accumulation, sensitivity index and other physiological responses were improved at moderate concentrations of two stress factors imposed jointly