Commercial growth regulator has adverse effect over soybean seedlings under different cadmium levels

Guilherme S Francischini,Hélida R Sala,Inaê Braga-Reis,Suzana C Bertoli,Adriana Lima-Moro

doi:10.5424/sjar/2020181-15930

Guilherme S Francischini, Hélida R Sala + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5424/sjar/2020181-15930

Copy DOI

Abstract

Aim of study: Soils contaminated by heavy metals, such as cadmium, may reduce plant development. Exogenous application of plant growth regulators (PGR), are used for optimizing the crops production in stressful environments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Cd concentrations on the development of soybean seedlings under exogenous application of a commercial PGR.Area of study: Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, Brazil.Material and methods: Soybean seeds were pre-treated in distilled water (control treatment) and in solution with plant growth regulator (PGR treatment) and then germinated with distillated water. The germinated seeds were transferred to different levels of Cd (0, 100, 500 and 900 mg of Cd).Main results: Cd exposure at increasing concentrations, decreased root development, (area, length and volume of roots) and activity of enzymatic antioxidants (SOD, CAT and APX) and enhanced MDA. These responses were accentuated by the PGR exposition. The root morphology and activity of antioxidant enzymes presented "hormesis" responses until 500 mg L-1 of Cd, and the proline content may have played a fundamental role in the maintenance of metabolic activities and biomass.Research highlights: The results indicate that the use of PGR intensified the toxicity responses caused by exposure to increased Cd level. In addition, stress indicators such as MDA content and antioxidant activity in different organs (root and shoot) of soybean seedlings, responded differently according with the use of PGR under exposure of Cd.

Highlights

Heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd) are considered environmental pollutants that threaten all forms of organisms (Sytar et al, 2013; Yan et al, 2016) and are available naturally in the environment or through anthropic sources (Sabiha-Javied et al, 2008; Wuana &Okieimen, 2011)
The seeds were soaked for 12 h at room temperature, in distilled water and in solution with plant growth regulator (PGR treatment) in dose recommended by the manufacturer (5 mL L-1)
The results indicated that the dry mass of the seedlings, both shoot and roots, were not significantly changed by different Cd levels and plant growth regulators (PGR) treatment (Fig. 1)

Summary

Introduction

Heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd) are considered environmental pollutants that threaten all forms of organisms (Sytar et al, 2013; Yan et al, 2016) and are available naturally in the environment or through anthropic sources (Sabiha-Javied et al, 2008; Wuana &Okieimen, 2011). Many industrial activities are recognized as important sources of Cd contamination in agricultural soils (Bermudez et al, 2010; Salazar et al., 2012). Cultivated areas contaminated by Cd directly impacts the growth and seeds quality of large crops (Vollmann et al, 2015). This happens because heavy metals are persistent in the environment and may be Guilherme S. Bertoli transported through soils (Zhou et al, 2013). Plants accumulating heavy metals from soils in which they grow may either store these metals in root or translocate them to the biomass aboveground, entering in the food chain (Zhou et al, 2013; Vollmann et al., 2015)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion