Study on the effects of polymer modifiers and phloem girdling on cotton in cadmium-contaminated soil in Xinjiang Province, China

The effects of two liquid modifiers (polyacrylate compound modifier and organic polymer compound modifier) and phloem girdling (stem girdling and branch girdling) on cadmium (Cd) content, Cd transport, and photosynthetic parameters of cotton (Xinluzao 60) in Cd-contaminated soil (40 mg kg (−1)) were studied through barrel experiment. The results showed that the distribution ratios of Cd in stem, leaves, and bolls, leaf net photosynthetic rate (Pn), leaf stomatal conductance (Gs), leaf transpiration rate (Tr), and chlorophyll content were decreased after girdling; and the application of modifiers reduced the Cd content and the Cd transported to the shoot, while alleviating photosynthetic damage caused by girdling. In general, our results indicated that the inhibition of carbohydrate supply caused by girdling reduced the photosynthetic capacity of cotton, while the applications of the two liquid modifiers decrease the influence to cotton photosynthesis. Moreover, Cd and modifiers may be transported to the shoot through both phloem and xylem.