Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is an important ornamental plant and god source of oil, widely accepted as potential promising plant for phytoremediation. This study was carried out to evaluate the impact of cadmium stress on growth, chlorophyll contents, of sunflower plants two varieties V1 (F1-682) and V2 (FH-626). Sun flower plants (Helianthus annuus L.) were exposed to different concentration (0, 10, 20mM) CdCl2 to evaluate the effects of cadmium (Cd) exposure on sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Growth parameters (shoot, root length, fresh and dry weights, chlorophyll contents) were determined and results compared with two parameters associated with photosynthesis degradation, chlorophyll content. The height of the shoots of plants was measured just before harvesting and number of leaves were counted to verify possible disorders in their growth due to exposure to cadmium. Exposure to Cd significantly decreased growth by decreasing shoot and root lengths and their fresh and dry weight. From Cd-lower and Cd-higher treatments showed necrosis at the base of their stems, as well as foliar chlorosis in those plants.
