Study of the effects of cadmium and vermicompost on some growth parameters of spinach (Spinaceaoleracea L.)

Cadmium is one of the most dangerous heavy metals that, through oxidative stress, disrupts plant processes and destroys the balance of nutrients in the plant and ultimately reduces growth. Vermicompost is also one of the sources of organic matter that plays an important role in plant nutrition and reduces the absorption capacity of heavy metals, including cadmium in the soil. In order to carry out this research, an experiment was conducted in a research greenhouse of Agricultural Research Center of Tehran Province in 1395 as a factorial design in a randomized complete design with six treatments and four replications. Cadmium concentrations were measured at two levels of 0 and 20 mg / kg and Vermicompost Factor in three levels of 0, 5 and 10% volumetric mixing with soil. The results showed that dry weight of shoot, leaf number, plant height, leaf area and chlorophyll index decreased significantly due to cadmium consumption. The leaf area showed the highest sensitivity and the chlorophyll index showed the least susceptibility to cadmium application. Vermicompost consumption significantly increased shoot dry weight, leaf number, leaf area. Also, the mixing of vermicompost with soil reduced the negative effects of cadmium application on leaf number, plant height and leaf area of ​​spinach, and increased these traits. Cadmium reduces the growth of various organs of the spinach and, on the other hand, vermicompost consumption, due to its nutritional effects, increases the dry weight of the air and reduces the effects of bad cadmium.