AMF-mediated mitigation of Cd-induced toxicity in Cicer arietinum and their influence on growth, photosynthesis efficiency, cell viability, antioxidants and yield attributes

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of cadmium (Cd) on growth, photosynthetic pigments (total chlorophyll and carotenoids), stress biomarkers (malondialdehyde, MDA; superoxide radicles; cell viability), mineral nutrients (sodium and phosphorus), leave protein content, defence (proline, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase), stomatal behaviour, and the key enzymes in nitrate absorption (nitrate reductase, NR) and Calvin Cycle (carbonic anhydrase; CA) of chickpea, including and excluding arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF). The development and physio-biochemical characteristics under study underwent considerable modifications as a result of cadmium stress (50 mg Cd kg−1 soil). By increasing the levels of chlorophyll, carotenoid, CA, and NR activity, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation was found to be the most effective method for increasing Cd-stress resistance. The negative effects of Cd on the parameters under investigation were lessened by AMF. Malonaldehyde synthesis was enhanced by cadmium stress but decreased by AMF via reducing oxidative stress. The plant's defensive mechanism was strengthened by the increased antioxidant enzyme activity caused by Cd treatment and AMF inoculation. Plants treated with Cd and inoculated with AMF both had higher proline contents, which effectively warded off Cd stress. Fascinatingly, AMF-infected plants showed enhanced growth and yield characteristics, minimal superoxide radicles, regulated cell viability, and functional stomata in leaves. The current result lends support to the biological strategy of using AMF to counteract chickpea alterations brought on by Cd stress.