| Effects of different concentrations (0, 0.004%, 0.008%, 0.012%, 0.016%) of BR on the growth of maize seedlings under Cd stress were assessed by pot test. The results showed that growth of maize seedlings were significantly inhibited Cd tolerance. Comparing to control, activities of CAT, POD and SOD of maize seedlings decreased by 14.61%, 7.59% and 46.16%, respectively; soluble protein, soluble sugar and proline content decreased by 49.78%, 62.94% and 62.69% respectively; content of chlorophyll and root activity decreased by 74.24% and 48.38% respectively; content of MDA and conductivity increased by 38.56% and 73.83% respectively, and the content of chlorophyll and root activity decreased by 49.78%, 62.94% and 62.69% respectively.The findings indicated that Cd had a certain toxic effect on maize seedlings, and adding into certain concentration (0.012%) of BR had some mitigation effect. Comparing to cadmium stress treatment alone, activities of CAT, POD and SOD increased by 13.98%, 4.21% and 67.20% respectively; contents of soluble protein, soluble sugar and proline content increased by 98.34%, 53.15% and 79.28% respectively; chlorophyll content and root activity increased by 90.08% and 41.08% respectively, and the MDA content and conductivity decreased by 30.01% and 39.38% respectively. In conclusion, BR could alleviate the growth of maize seedling under Cd stress, and the best effect was 0.012%, which enhanced the resistance of maize seedlings. |