It is known that Cd. does not have a specific nutritional function in the plant, but it does in the physiology of the plants reducing growth, photosynthetic activity, transpiration and chlorophyll content and I do not know if date palm is an exception. In cocoa, if the plant has an affinity for absorption, it is translocated to all the structures of the plant and a part goes to the useful part, in this case the cocoa almonds.

In short, it seems.

Cadmium (Cd) contamination in soil significantly stresses date palm offshoots, hindering their growth and impacting their internal balance. Cd inhibits biomass accumulation, particularly in roots and leaves, and disrupts nutrient uptake, leading the plant to prioritize root growth for better nutrient acquisition. This is coupled with reduced photosynthetic capacity and structural damage to vascular tissues, impairing water and nutrient transport efficiency.

Exposure to Cd induces oxidative stress in date palms by increasing levels of damaging compounds like malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide. To counteract this toxicity, the plants activate their antioxidant defense systems. This involves boosting the activity of enzymes such as peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase to scavenge harmful reactive oxygen species. Non-enzymatic antioxidants like proline, flavonoids, and polyphenols also accumulate to help mitigate osmotic stress and neutralize these damaging compounds. However, high Cd levels can sometimes overwhelm these protective mechanisms.

At a molecular level, Cd stress triggers changes in gene expression, upregulating genes involved in metal transport and detoxification. Interestingly, the application of silicon has shown promise in alleviating Cd stress by reducing its uptake and stabilizing the plant's antioxidant systems. Furthermore, monitoring Cd accumulation in date fruits at different developmental stages is crucial, as younger fruits tend to accumulate higher levels of the metal. Overall, Cd toxicity elicits a complex response in date palms, and strategies like silicon supplementation and selective harvesting can help mitigate its negative effects.

I hope I have been helpful. I wish you success.

Peyman Aghaie

Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic heavy metal, and when added to soil planted with date palm offshoots, it causes several harmful physiological effects:

• Reduced Photosynthesis – Cd interferes with chlorophyll biosynthesis, leading to lower chlorophyll content, reduced carotenoids, and impaired photosynthetic efficiency.
• Nutrient Imbalance – It competes with and inhibits the uptake of essential nutrients like Ca, Mg, Fe, and Zn, disturbing mineral nutrition.
• Oxidative Stress – Cd promotes the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), causing membrane lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, and DNA damage.
• Water Relations – It reduces root growth and impairs water uptake, lowering relative water content in leaves.
• Metabolic Disruption – Carbohydrate and protein metabolism are negatively affected, leading to reduced growth and biomass.
• Stress Response – The plant accumulates proline and antioxidant enzymes as a defensive mechanism, but these responses are often insufficient to fully counteract Cd toxicity.

Cadmium (Cd) stress in date palm offshoots exerts strong negative effects on several physiological and biochemical traits. The leaf content of chlorophyll and carotenoids is markedly reduced because Cd interferes with pigment biosynthesis and damages chloroplast structures, leading to impaired photosynthetic efficiency. Similarly, the carbohydrate content declines as a consequence of reduced photosynthesis and metabolic disturbances. In contrast, the level of proline generally increases under Cd stress, since proline acts as an osmoprotectant and stress indicator, helping the plant to maintain osmotic adjustment. Additionally, Cd induces the generation of excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), which triggers the activation of antioxidant defense mechanisms. Enzymatic antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase, along with non-enzymatic antioxidants, are upregulated to counteract oxidative stress, although prolonged exposure may overwhelm the defense system. Overall, cadmium toxicity reduces photosynthetic pigments and carbohydrate reserves while enhancing proline accumulation and antioxidant activity as part of the plant’s adaptive response.