The treatment of maize {Zea mays L.) seedlings (8-d-old) with 5 and 10 gM Cd^'*’ for 24 and 48 h caused a decrease in ffesh and dry mass, in the contents of chlorophylls and carotenoids, rates of net carbon dioxide uptake (Pyj) and transpiration (E), water use efficiency (Pyj/E = WUE) and stomatal conductance (gg).