Objective: In the present study various physiological and biochemical aspects of Brassica juncea were studied under cadmium (Cd) stress conditions. Methods: Plants of Brassica juncea were subjected to different concentrations of Cd (0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 mmol) metal. After 30 d of cadmium exposure it was found that the level of antioxidants, osmolytes, photosynthetic parameters, ions and total sugars were altered. To investigate the effects of metal in Brassica juncea plants, level of ascorbic acid, tocopherol, glutathione, ferric ion reducing assay, molybdate ion reduction assay, total osmolytes content, anthocyanins, xanthophylls, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, water use efficiency, uptake of sodium and potassium ions, level of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur and total sugar content was detected.Results: Results from this study revealed the increase in antioxidant potential of Brassica juncea plants under cadmium metal stress. Photosynthetic parameters and uptake of sodium and potassium ions were affected negatively due to metal exposure and level of sugars and osmolytes were found to rise in the presence of cadmium stress.Conclusion: Findings of present study suggested that treatment of Cd activated a range of defence strategies in Brassica juncea plants
