The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of cadmium (Cd) exposure on sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) plant growth, chlorophyll content, and fluorescence. Sunflower plants were exposed to different concentrations of Cd (0, 5, 50, and 500 µM) for 21 d. Growth parameters (organ length, fresh and dry weights) were determined and results compared with two parameters associated with photosynthesis degradation: chlorophyll content and fluorescence (an easy and non-destructive method). Exposure to Cd significantly decreased growth by decreasing shoot and root lengths and their fresh and dry weight. Cadmium also decreased significantly chlorophyll content and fluorescence efficiency in all treatments. Chlorophyll a (chl a) and chl b contents showed a significant correlation with chlorophyll fluorescence (F v /F m ratio). The EC 50 values showed that the roots' length was the most sensitive endpoint in this study, followed by the roots' and shoots' weight endpoints. Also, chl b showed higher sensitivity to Cd contamination than chl a. These data show that in complement to growth parameters, the use of photosynthetic parameters provides helpful information on plant response to Cd exposure.

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