Abstract

ORTIZ CONFORME, Matthew et al. Cadmium and it’s effect on the growth of sugarcane(Saccharum officinarum L.). RCTU [online]. 2022, vol.9, n.2, pp.110-117. ISSN 1390-7697.  https://doi.org/10.26423/rctu.v9i2.714.

Cadmium (Cd) is dangerous for living beings due to its high toxicity. Studies show contamination in agricultural soils due to this heavy metal. In the present investigation, the effects of this metal on four varieties of sugarcane grown in the lower basin of the Guayas River were evaluated: Ragnar, Cenicaña, ECU01, and ECU02; particularly the effects on growth parameters: height, stem diameter, number of cuttings, and number of leaves. Cuttings of each variety were selected to be classified by quadruple. For 300 days, they were exposed to a substrate contaminated with cadmium in five concentrations: 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 8 mg/kg-Cd, which were contrasted with the control (0 mg/kg). Statistical analyses were performed by calculating both the tolerance index and the percentage of growth inhibition. The growth of the Cenicaña variety was reduced by 12.98%, and the variety with the lowest inhibition was the Ragnar (-3.88%), demonstrating growth stimulation at 8 mg/kg-Cd. According to the tolerance index, the most tolerant varieties were Ragnar and ECU-02. The latter is recommended for soils containing more than 4 mg/kg of Cd. Cadmium analysis of agricultural soils is encouraged before planting sugarcane to ensure food safety in Ecuador.

Keywords : Soil bioassay; Cadmium; Tolerance Index; Percent growth inhibition.

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