Cadmium mediated modulation of growth and physiology of medicinal plant Catharanthus roseus

In the present study the growth and physiology of medicinal plant Catharanthus roseus commonly known as Behaya under cadmium (Cd) stress was investigated. The translocation and accumulation of Cd in different plant parts was accompanied with ultrastructural changes at cellular level such as sequestration of metal in the cell wall, breakdown of membrane structures such as the thylakoids in the chloroplasts, accumulation of plastoglobuli etc. Cd stress also induced the generation of reactive oxygen species which further caused membrane lipid peroxidation and consequent increase in malonialdehyde (MDA). An increase in antioxidant enzymatic activity and accumulation of molecules such as proline was also indicative of the plant stress. This emphasizes the fact that C. roseus can accumulate Cd. However, the metal stress challenges modify the morphology, growth and physiology of the plant.