The effect of cadmium on growth of vegetative thallus and development of generative organs of Chara vulgaris L. after short time of cultivation

Abstract

The effect of cadmium ions in two different concentrations (10-8M i 10-6M) on vegetative thallus, male (antheridia) and femele (oogonia) generative organs of Chara vulgaris L. was investigated. After 9 days of growth in a presence of cadmium the number of lateral branches decreased and the lengths of internodes of the main axis and pleuridia became shortened. The increase in oospores volume and decrease in antheridial volume (both total and internal) after 3, 7 and 9 days of cultivation were observed. The productivity of antheridium measured by the number of antheridial filaments and number of cells within filament is also lower in plants cultivated with cadmium in comparison with control ones.

Keywords

• Cadmium
• Chara
• generative organs