Photosynthetic response of cabbage in cadmium-spiked soil

Abstract

Efficiency of a photosynthetic apparatus in plants growing in cadmium-spiked soil as well as plant biomass and cadmium accumulation were assessed in two cabbage cultivars (early and late) in a long-term pot experiment. Cadmium concentrations were 10 and 40 mg(Cd) per kg of dry mass of soil. The early cultivar showed a dose-dependent and stable decrease in SPAD index, while in plants of the late cultivar the response was reversible and less pronounced. A huge drop in the effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry, photochemical quenching, nonphotochemical quenching, and electron transport rate in the third week of vegetation indicated susceptibility of the early cultivar to cadmium, contrary to the late one. Fresh mass of plants of the early cultivar was diminished by both doses of Cd. For the late cultivar, there was no change in these parameters, indicating its possible usability for phytoremediation, provided the reclaimed area is fenced and protected. Particular attention should also be paid towards late cultivars cabbage farming in areas with a high Cd content. On the other hand, the early cultivar may serve as a bioindicator of Cd-contamination. transport rate; F0 -minimal fluorescence yield at the dark-adapted state; FM -fresh mass; Fv/Fm -maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry; NPQ -Stern-Volmer nonphotochemical quenching coefficient; qP -photochemical quenching coefficient; SD -standard deviation; ФPSII -effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry. Acknowledgements: The study was supported by European Union from European Regional Development Fund in a framework of the Innovative Economy Operational Programme 2007-2013, project ʻThe exploitation of white cabbage for phytoremediation and biofumigation of soils (AGROBIOKAP)ʼ, and DS 3163 research programme of University of Agriculture in Krakow.

Interactive Effects of Salicylic Acid and Nitric Oxide in Enhancing Rice Tolerance to Cadmium Stress

“…In the current study, Cd-stressed rice plants displayed phenotypic changes, including decreased growth, leaf rolling, burning of leaf tips, chlorosis, and yellowing of the entire plant (Figure 1A), suggesting that the presence of excessive Cd can induce toxicity effects on hydroponically grown rice plants. The decrease in biomass of Cd-stressed rice plants (Figure 1B) was also detected in other plant species (e.g., wheat, mustard, Brassica oleracea, and Pisum sativum ) exposed to various levels of Cd for short or long periods [13,31,32,33]. In contrast, addition of exogenous salicylic acid (SA) and/or sodium nitroprusside (SNP) to growth medium was found to mitigate Cd-induced phytotoxic effects by restoring plant growth and biomass (Figure 1B), reviving green color, reducing leaf rolling, and improving the overall phenotypic appearance (Figure 1A).…”

“…Instead, Cd is accumulated in plant tissues through the transporters that are involved in the uptake of other essential elements like magnesium, calcium, manganese, iron, and zinc [30]. Once accumulated at excessive concentrations, Cd shows toxic effects by disturbing metabolism of plants, resulting in growth inhibition and biomass reduction [3,31]. In the current study, Cd-stressed rice plants displayed phenotypic changes, including decreased growth, leaf rolling, burning of leaf tips, chlorosis, and yellowing of the entire plant (Figure 1A), suggesting that the presence of excessive Cd can induce toxicity effects on hydroponically grown rice plants.…”

Morphological and Physiological Changes of Broussonetia papyrifera Seedlings in Cadmium Contaminated Soil

“…The traditional method of reducing the toxicity by replacing the soil contaminated with heavy metals is highly expensive, and the placement of contaminated soil might become an urgent problem to be solved, which could even cause secondary pollution [5]. At present, phytoremediation has become a more promising method of environmental restoration based on biological extraction and filtration [6][7][8][9]. Hyperaccumulators have good application prospects in the remediation of contaminated soil, such as the first known arsenic (As) hyperaccumulation plant Pteris vittata [10][11][12], the manganese (Mn) hyperaccumulation plant Phytolacca acinosa [13,14], Sedum [15,16] with super enrichment ability to Cd, etc.…”

Selenite Foliar Application Alleviates Arsenic Uptake, Accumulation, Migration and Increases Photosynthesis of Different Upland Rice Varieties

“…Plant photosynthesis is affected by diverse environmental factors such as Cd [10,27], salinity, and drought [28], leading to reduced crop yields. For example, Gao et al [26] showed that Cd concentration significantly inhibited plant growth and photosynthesis in rice.…”