International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN: 2319-7064 Impact Factor (2018): 7.426 Volume 8 Issue 1, January 2019 www.ijsr.net Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY Biochemical and Toxicological Effects of Cadmium on Phaseolus vulgaris L. Running title: Cadmium stress in Phaseolus vulgaris L. Anuja Samal 1 , Srinivas Acharya 2 , Chinmay Pradhan 3 1, 3 M.Sc. Environmental Science, P.G. Department of Botany, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar-751004, India 2 Lecturer in Environmental Science, P.G. Department of Botany, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar-751004, Odisha, India Abstract: Phaseolus vulgaris L. (kidney bean) is an annual leguminous pulses, rich in antioxidant flavonoids and proteins. This group of plants are being used in eastern Himalaya for different type of ethinic medicinal and edible purpose. On the contrary, Cadmium as a toxic heavy metal has ranked number 7 among top 20 toxins. Manufacturing of paints, plastics, fungicides, fertilizers, Ag-Cd batteries, nickel-cadmium storage batteries, printing ink etc. are common sources of entering Cd(II) into environment. The seeds are collected from seed banks germinated and grown with Hoagland medium under various concentrations of cadmium. Quantum yield of primary photochemistry were estimated using Handy PEA. The biochemical compounds are estimated following standard methods at weekly intervals. The proline content increases with increase in Cd 2+ concentrations (R 2 =0.69). But there was a concentration dependent decrease in other biochemical compounds such as total soluble protein, Chl a, b and yield parameter of photosynthetic electron transport for Cd 2+ induced toxicity. The root length decrease more significantly (F=8.3; P<0.01) than the shoot length and leaf count with increasing Cd 2+ induced toxicity on roots. Hence, this may be concluded that 80 ppm Cd 2+ concentration in Phaseolus vulgaris is detrimental while up to 60 ppm the plant shows better adaptability. Keywords: ascorbic acid, cadmium, proline, P. vulgaris, quantum yield 1. Introduction Phaseolus vulgaris L. (kidney bean) is an annual leguminous pulses taken as cooked food for its great nutritional value. It is a widely grown food legume in different parts of India and rich in antioxidant flavonoids and proteins. This group of plants has been identified as one of the dominant legume taxa, which is being used in eastern Himalaya for different type of ethinic medicinal and edible purpose [1]. Its seeds are used as spice and have medicinal values for the treatment of dyspepsia, rheumatism, asthma and constipation [2]. Cadmium is a widespread nonessential toxic heavy metal, which has been identified as a significant pollutant due to its high toxicity and solubility in water. It has ranked number 7 among top 20 toxins[3]. Naturally occurring Cd levels are very low, soluble Cd concentration in non-Contaminated soil varies from 0.01 to 5 μg.kg -1 [4] whereas metal contaminated soils contain about 600 mg kg -1 of Cd [5]. Manufacturing of paints pigments, plastics, fungicides, fertilizers, silver cadmium batteries, nickel-cadmium storage batteries, glass, ceramic alloys, photo-electric cells, photo conductors, rectifiers, printing ink automobile tyres, motor oils etc. are the common sources of entering Cd into environment. Cadmium is easily taken up by roots from contaminated soil and translocated into leaves of plant species. High concentration of Cd cause toxicity in plants which results decrease in carbon assimilation, generate oxidative stress, induce stomatal closure and disturb plant water status. The toxicity of Cd also inhibits chlorophyll synthesis, damage root tips, reduce nutrient Uptake, impair photo synthesis and inhibit plant growth [6],[7],[8],[9],[10],[11],[12].The effect of Cd +2 toxicity on growth and development of plants are mainly based on visual symptoms, such as chlorosis, necrosis, leaf epinasty, Yellowish discoloration, on biomass reduction, stunted growth, decrease and change in mineral composition etc. [13]. Excess Cd induces complex changes in plants at gentical, biochemical and physiological levels leading to phytotoxicity. The toxic effect of Cd +2 on leguminous plant has been discussed. However, investigation of photosynthetic responses coupled with biochemical variations under cadmium stress in Phaseolus vulgaris has not been elucidated so far. This study is expected to provide us evidences for accumulation and changes in physiological and biochemical parts in P. vulgaris towards Cd +2 stress. This novel approach focuses to produce healthy food material as well as a sustainable agriculture. 2. Materials and Methods 2.1 Collection of seed and Experimental Setup Seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris L. (Label No. 301, variety: RONORS-IMPORTED, Lot No.101, Genetic purity (Min): 98%, Physical purity (Min): 98%, Inert matter (max): 2%, moisture (Max): 6%, chemical used: Thiram/Captan) were collected from seed center shop, Rabitalkies square, Bhubaneswar. Fresh and healthy seeds of common bean legume (P. vulgaris L.) were surface sterilized with 0.1% HgCl 2 for 3 min and continuously washed under running tap followed by distilled water and allowed to germinate in the dark on moistened filter paper at 25 o C. Germinated seedlings were then allowed to grow in sterile sand (oven dried at 100 ± 2 0 C for 24 h) with Hoagland nutrient medium. Different treatment protocols (10ppmCd +2 to 150ppmCd +2 ) with untreated control were set up for 1month experiment with 15 days of exposure. Paper ID: ART20194047 10.21275/ART20194047 301