Cadmium and its effect on the growth and concentration of chlorophyll and some nutrients in plants (Carthamus tinctorius) and (Silybum marianum)

Sciences / Department of Biology for the agricultural season 2023-2024 For five months to study the effect of cadmium (CdCl2) element at concentrations (3, 5, 7, 9) mg/kg soil on Carthamus tinctorius (safflower) and Silybum marianum (Silybum). The results showed that treating the soil with cadmium at the above concentrations led to a significant increase in the concentration of cadmium in both the soil and the vegetative and root parts of safflower and Silybum plants, specifically when treated with cadmium at the fourth concentration (9) mg/kg soil, as it reached (1.823 , 0.975), (1.468 , 1.507) and (1.414 , 1.766) mg/kg soil, respectively. While there was a significant decrease in the content of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and carotene, reaching (1.179, 0.505), (0.692, 0.332), (1.524,0.688), and (0.661, 0.377) mg/g wet weight, respectively. It was also noted that there was a significant decrease in calcium concentration. Ca and Mg