Effects of cadmium toxicity on growth of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench)

It was conducted to determine the effects of different cadmium doses on the growing, yield and some element contents of the plant in buckwheat varieties and to determine how much cadmium accumulates in which parts of the plant. The study was carried out in Tokat conditions in a net greenhouse, in a pot environment, with Günes and Aktas buckwheat varieties and five (0, 5, 10, 20 and 40 ppm) different cadmium doses. Plant height, number of side branches, root weight, stem weight, leaf weight, seed weight, thousand grain weight, cadmium, zinc, iron, manganese and copper contents were examined. In the study, statistically significant (p<0.05) and very significant (p<0.01) differences were detected in other parameters, except the number of side branches, in terms of variety, dose and plant parts. Plant height 92.66-112.41 cm, leaf weight 3.82-4.85 g/pot, root weight 2.54-4.39 g/pot, stem weight 8.79-11.62 g /pot and seed weight varied between 0.74-8.96 g/pot. Plant height increased until the cadmium dose of 20 ppm and then decreased. While leaf weight generally decreased, seed weight increased up to 5 ppm cadmium and then decreased. Cadmium concentration in the plant increased depending on cadmium doses. Cadmium, which is mostly found in the root part, could not be detected in the seeds. It has been observed that the resistance of the Aktas variety to cadmium, which does not negatively affect the development of buckwheat, is better than the Günes variety. It can be said that buckwheat can be grown in areas contaminated with cadmium (up to 40 ppm).