Abstract: The germination rate was decreased to 92% when seeds were treated at 0.5 mmol·L^-1 Cd²⁺ and was progressively decreased with higher Cd²⁺. 83% and 67% germination rates were observed respectively at 1 mmol·L^-1 and 5 mmol·L^-1 Cd²⁺ treatment in XWY, but the lower germination rate was observed with 5 mmol·L^-1 Cd²⁺ treatment in XYB. The germination rate was decreased to 83% only at 0.05 mmol·L^-1 Cd²⁺ and only 58% germination rate was observed when seeds were treated at 1 mmol·L^-1 and 5 mmol·L^-1 Cd²⁺ in WQ. The effects of Cd²⁺ on seedling growth were observed in three radish cultivars. Seedling growth damage was much more serious with higher Cd²⁺ concentration. WQ is the most sensitive to Cd²⁺ treatment according to the experiment results which were obtained by testing germination rate and seedling growth in three radish cultivars. 5 protein spots were disappeared and 15 new protein spots were induced in XWY seedling which were treated by 0.1 mmol·L^-1 Cd²⁺, 2 protein spots were disappeared and 1 protein spot was decreased in content, 13 new protein spots were induced in XYB, 12 new protein spots were induced in WQ. A close positive relationship was observed between protein spots change and inhibited seedling growth in the three radish cultivars which were treated by 0.1 mmol·L^-1Cd²⁺. It may be important for understanding biochemical mechanism of Cd²⁺ damage.

Key words: germination rate, two dimensional gel electrophoresis, protein spot, cadmium, Raphanus sativus L.