Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences, May - 2014; Volume – 2(2S) Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences http://www.jebas.org ISSN No. 2320 – 8694 THE PROMOTIVE ROLE OF ALGAL BIOFERTILIZER ON THE GROWTH OF MAIZE (Zea mays L.) SEEDLINGS UNDER CADMIUM-STRESS Hanan M Abou- Zeid Botany & Microbiology department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Egypt Received – April 26, 2014; Revision – May 09, 2014, Accepted – May 20, 2014 Available Online – May 31, 2014. KEYWORDS ABSTRACT Cadmium 2+ The influence of various cadmium (Cd ) levels in absence and presence of algal biofertilizer on the growth, photosynthesis, and mineral contents of maize plants was examined. Cd2+ caused an inhibitory Biofertilizer effect on growth parameters of shoots and roots leading to lower tolerance index. Application of Cd 2+ in the nutrient medium in absence of biofertilizer suppressed the photosynthetic parameters (Fv/Fm, qP, Photosynthetic parameters Pn, NPQ, and Gs) resulting in a marked decline of photosynthetic rate. Cadmium interferes with the Macronutrients uptake, transport and utilization of several macro- and micronutrients, which accounts, at least in part, for Cd2+ toxicity in plants. There was a marked reduction in the accumulation of macronutrient such as 2+ Maize (Zea mays) K, Ca, Mg, and P in the roots and shoots. Supplementation of algal biofertilizer with Cd - contaminated medium resulted in shift off the Cd2+ toxicity and improved to some extent the growth and photosynthetic machinery, as well as increased the intracellular macro-nutrients such as K, Ca, Mg, and P in maize plants. * Corresponding author E-mail:
[email protected] (Hanan M. Abou- Zeid) Peer review under responsibility of Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences.