Gaiic (Allium sativum L.) is one of the world most popular vegetables that has beneficial effects on health, viz,, protection against cardiovascular diseases and cancers. It is well known for its capability to endure some heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd). Selenium (Se) is known to play a crucial role in regulating and alleviating many abiotic shesses including metal stress, In study the effect of Se (Na2SeOt in ameliorating the toxic effect ofCd in ga ic seedlings were investigated. Treatrnents were as: control,5 ppm Se, l04MCd, loiMcd, l0-2Mcd, l0-4Mcd+5ppmSe, l03MCd+5ppmSe, 10-2 M Cd + 5 ppm Se. The data were processed by the analysis ofvariance in a factorial experiment with three replications on the basis of completely randomized design. The results showed that the biomass ofroot and shoot were decreased with the increase in Cd concentration. The garlic roots were more severely affected than the shoots by Cd shess. Cd at l0-2 M reduced root and shoot biomass by 57.08 nd' 54.74o/o, respectively, compared with the control. Employing Se diminished the Cd accumulation by 33.71, 23.4-3 and 0.80% in the root and by 64.00, 25.00 and 3.60% in the shoot under 10{, 10r and l0'2 Cd dosages, respectively. The net photosynthesis (Pn), transpiration rate (Tr), stomatal conductance (Gs) and total chlorophyll (Chl) decreased significantly by increasing Cd concentrations. Net photosynthesis, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance and total chlorophyll decreased by 93,8, 81.4, 75.8 and 53.3% under 10-2 M Cd, respectively as compared to the control. Application of Se irnproved the net photosynthesis, transpiration rate and stomatal conductanc€ of garlic plants in all Cd treatments except for lOt M Cd concentration. The results indicated that supply of Se, can reduce the damage to the chloroplasts and increase the chlorophyll contents and eventually photosynthesis performance of garlic seedlings.
