Abstract:In order to investigate the resistance and sensitivity of Primula forbesii Franch. to heavy metal cadmium (Cd) pollution, and to provide a theoretical and practical basis for the application as a new type of fragrant ground cover plant in Cd contaminated soil, we conducted a pot experiment to determine the growth and physiological indicators of P. forbesii seedlings under Cd stress in different concentrations (0,5,50,100,150,200 mg/kg) of soil. The results showed that:(1) low concentration (5 mg/kg) Cd stress could promote plant height and root length; however, the plant height, root length and biomass were significantly reduced under high concentration (≥150 mg/kg) Cd stress. (2) With the increase of Cd concentrations, leaf photosynthesis, chlorophyll content, SOD and CAT activities of P. forbesii seedlings increased firstly and then decreased, while its superoxide anion radical production rate, hydrogen peroxide content, malondialdehyde content, leaf relative conductivity and POD activity continued to increase. (3) Under Cd stress, the contents of K and Zn in P. forbesii decreased; the contents of Ca and Mg in leaves and roots increased significantly; the content of Cd increased obviously, and the Cd content in roots was much higher than that in leaves and petioles. This study shows that P. forbesii seedlings have a certain tolerance to Cd stress. Low concentration (5 mg/kg) Cd stress has little effect on the growth of P. forbesii, but high concentration (≥150 mg/kg) Cd stress has an obvious toxic effect on P. forbesii and affects its normal growth. However, P. forbesii may reduce the damage caused by cadmium stress and improve its tolerance by enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzyme system in vivo, with increasing the content of Ca and Mg in leaves and roots as well as the cadmium interception in roots.