Abstract: In this experiment，the effect of cadmium（Cd2+）on growth，photosynthetic characteristics，absorption of main mineral elements，and qualities of garlic were studied，as well as the alleviation effect of exogenous Ca2+. The results showed that Cd obviously inhibited the growth of garlic seedlings，reduced pigment contents and photosynthetic parameters（Pn，Tr，Gs）of leaves，decreased mineral elements（N，P，K，Ca，Mg）contents and increased Cd accumulation of roots，and lowered qualities of garlic bolts and bulbs. The growth was promoted significantly after adding exogenous Ca to garlic seedlings under Cd stress，the morphological indexes（plant height，pseudostem diameter，pseudostem length，plant fresh weight，plant dry matter）increased at first and then decreased with the increase of exogenous Caconcentrations，the biggest increases of which were 54.4%，26.0%，45.2%，61.4% and 77.3%，respectively. At the same time，exogenous Ca also improved the pigment contents and photosynthetic parameters（Pn，Tr，Gs）of leaves under Cd stress，the change tendency was similar to morphological indexes，and the largest increases were 44.6%，36.6%，31.8% and 18.4%，respectively. In addition，adding moderate exogenous Ca to garlic seedlings under Cd stress increased mineral elements contents and reduced Cd accumulation of roots，improved appearance and nutritional qualities of garlic bolts and bulbs.

Key words: garlic, cadmium, calcium, physiological characteristic, quality