Effect of elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration on growth and physiology of wheat and sorghum under cadmium stress

Elevated concentrations of carbon dioxide (e[CO2]) affect plant growth and physiological characteristics, including metal accumulation, and the activity of anti-oxidant enzymes. These effects were investigated in cadmium (Cd) tolerant wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.) cultivars. Plants were grown at the ambient and elevated CO2 levels, with four concentrations of Cd (0, 10, 20 and 40 mg kg−1) added to the soil. After 60 days, subsamples were tested for chlorophylls and carotenoids, protein, enzyme activities and morphological characteristics. Results showed that e[CO2] increased plant height, leaf area, and the dry weight of shoots and roots (P < 0.01). In addition, it decreased the Cd concentration in the shoots and roots of wheat, and increased the same concentrations for sorghum. With increasing Cd, the activities of the anti-oxidants, SOD and GSH-px increased in wheat. The differences in enzyme activity parallel the changes in Cd concentration in the plants of both species.