Phytotoxic Effects of Cinnamic Acid on Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata)

The present study deals with the effects of exogenous application of cinnamic acid (CA) on growth and metabolism in growing seedlings of Brassica oleracea var. capitata (cabbage) in hydroponic culture. CA was added at 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mM concentrations. CA has shown inhibitory effects on shoot and root length, fresh and dry weight of seedlings. CA significantly decreased the photosynthetic pigments, nitrate reductase activity and protein content. Graded concentrations of CA increased lipid peroxidation and sugar content. The increasing concentrations of CA significantly increased the antioxidative enzyme activities viz. superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase against the oxidative stress caused by CA.