Biochemical and Toxicological Effects of Cadmium on Phaseolus vulgaris L.

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 Cd2+ concentrations (R2=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 Cd2+ induced toxicity. The root length decrease more significantly (F=8.3; P