Improvement of the rice photosynthetic apparatus defence under cadmium stress modulated by salicylic acid supply to roots

Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of exogenous salicylic acid (SA) added to the nutrient solution on the growth parameters and the functions of the photosynthetic apparatus of rice plants under cadmium (Cd) stress. Our investigations have shown that 10 µM SA has an optimal effect in rice plants grown hydroponically. Pulse amplitude modulated chlorophyll fluorescence, low-temperature chlorophyll fluorescence, oxygen evolution (measured with Clark-type and Joliot-type electrodes) and P700 photo-oxidation measurements were carried out to assess the effect of SA on the activity of the photosynthetic apparatus. The levels of three important parameters associated with oxidative stress (hydrogen peroxide, lipid peroxidation and proline content) were measured. The application of low concentration of SA significantly decreased the levels of hydrogen peroxide, lipid peroxidation and proline under Cd stress. The results revealed that low concentration of SA, applied in plants exposed to 150 µM CdCl2, significantly improves plant growth, photochemical activities of both photosystems, the electron flow from QA to plastoquinone, energetic distribution between pigment-protein complexes and the kinetic parameters of oxygen-evolving reactions. This study suggests that exogenous application of 10 µM SA through the rooting medium has a protective effect against Cd toxicity in rice plants. The possible molecular mechanisms involved in the defence effect of SA on the function of photosynthetic apparatus are discussed.