Impact of AM Fungi and Azotobacter in the Alleviation of Cd-Induced Growth Reduction and Activity of Antioxidants in Coriandrum Sativum L

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and Azotobacteron growth, oxidative effect and antioxidant defense mechanisms under cadmium (Cd) stresses in Coriandrum sativum L. (Coriander). Treatments consisted of mycorrhizal and Azotobacter treatments and threeconcentrations of cadmium treatments (0,50and 100 mg Cd kg-1 of soil). Metal induced oxidative damage through increased lipid peroxidation. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POX) increased under stress and it was found that there was a direct correlation between root length, shoot length, plant fresh weight and plant dry weight and the activity of these enzymes in concentration dependent manner. The activity of antioxidants and growth increased in mycorrhizal and Azotobacter stressed plants. However, the combination of mycorrhiza (AMF) and Azotobacteracted synergistically and significantly arrested lipid peroxidation and led to increased growth as well as activity of activity of antioxidants. The interactions of cadmium and biofertilizers proved to be synergistic and the antioxidant activities further increased indicated the positive role of biofertilizers in increasing the antioxidant activity thereby decreasing oxidative stress and stimulating growth. Therefore, biofertilizers are advisable to enhance the tolerance to cadmium stress in medicinally important coriander.

Effects of the Dark Septate Endophyte (DSE) Exophiala pisciphila on the Growth of Root Cell Wall Polysaccharides and the Cadmium Content of Zea mays L. under Cadmium Stress

“…Cadmium (Cd) is a widespread environmental pollutant with acute and chronic toxicity in plants and animals [1]. Cd is taken up by plants, and can bind directly with protein functional groups, leading to changes in their conformation and functioning [2], resulting in phytotoxicity, such as growth reduction [3,4]; damage to the photosynthetic apparatus or modulation of chlorophyll fluorescence [5][6][7][8][9][10]; and changes to plant physiological and biochemical mechanisms [11][12][13]. Cd can cause the overaccumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to oxidative stress and resulting in membrane damage, electrolyte leakage, an increased mutation rate, and reduced efficiency of various metabolic processes [14].…”