Trakia Journal of Sciences, Vol. 15, № 1, 2017 1 Trakia Journal of Sciences, No 1, pp 1-4, 2017 Copyright © 2017 Trakia University Available online at: http://www.uni-sz.bg ISSN 1313-7050 (print) ISSN 1313-3551 (online) doi:10.15547/tjs.2017.01.001 Original Contribution EFFECT OF CADMIUM ON SEED GERMINATION AND EARLIER BASIL (OCIMUM BASILICUM L. AND OCIMUM BASILICUM VAR. PURPURESCENS) SEEDLING GROWTH A. Gharebaghi 1* , M. H. Alborzi Haghighi 2 , H. Arouiee 1 1 Department of Horticultural Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran 2 Department of Water Engineering, Agricultural School, Shiraz University, Iran ABSTRACT As one of the consequences of heavy metal pollution in soil, water and air, plants are contaminated by heavy metals. Thus, this work aims to evaluate the response of two basil species ( Ocimum basilicum L. and Ocimum basilicum var. Purpurescens) to treatment with cadmium (heavy metal) in the roots and leaves of young plants. This experiment was conducted on the basis of a completely randomized design (CRD) in greenhouse condition with four doses (0, 5, 10, 20 mg/lit) of cadmium heavy metal. The results indicated that germination of seeds was inhibited by cadmium as compared to control. In addition number of leaves, plant height, plant height above cotyledon leaves and root length were clearly shortened when the concentration of cadmium exceeded. Generally, it was shown that Cd is more toxic for Ocimum basilicum var. Purpurescens than Ocimum basilicum L. Key words: Basil, Cadmium, Germination, Toxicity INTRODUCTION During the last decades the contamination of soil became very extensive and dangerous problem as a consequence of industrial activities (metallurgy, chemistry, energetics, etc.) (1). All these heavy metals: Cd, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn are the most dangerous (2). There are two aspects on the interaction of plants with heavy metals: (i) heavy metals show negative effects on plants, and (ii) plants have their own resistance mechanisms against toxic effects and for detoxifying heavy metal pollution (3). Heavy metal accumulation in soils is of concern in agricultural production due to its adverse effects on food quality, crop growth, and environmental health (4). These metals are mostly absorbed by plants easily and prove toxic to plants that can be observed as growth retardation as a result of alterations in biochemical process like inhibition of enzyme activity, protein penetration and impaired nutrition etc. (5). Cadmium (Cd), being a highly toxic metal pollutant of soils, inhibits root and shoot _______________________ *Correspondence to: A. Gharebaghi, Department of horticultural sciences, college of Agriculture, Mashhad University. Mashhad. Iran, Email:abozargharebaghi65@gmail.com growth and yield production, affects nutrient uptake and homeostasis, and is frequently accumulated by agriculturally important crops and then enters the food chain with a significant potential to impair animal and human health (6). Aydinalp and Marinoya (7) expressed the dose of 5 ppm of Cr +6 , Cu +2 , Ni +2 , and Zn +2 increased the shoot size by 13.0%, 59.0%, 35.0%, and 6.6%, respectively). Basil is used as a medicinal herb in medical treatments such as for headaches, coughs, diarrhea, worms, and kidney malfunctions. Basil essential oil has been utilized extensively in the food industry as a flavoring agent, and in perfumery and medical industries (8). The flowers and leaves of the plant constitute a rich source of essential oils (9). An infusion of the leaves is used as a disinfectant and as an insecticide (9). Present study is done to examine the toxicity of cadmium on germination and seedling growth of Ocimum basilicum L., and Ocimum basilicum var. Purpurescens at varying concentrations. MATERIALS AND METHODS Basil seeds Ocimum basilicum L. and Ocimum basilicum var. Purpurescens were immersed in 3% v/v