Lysine–Bound Micronutrients Modulate Morpho–Physio–Biochemical Responses and Gene Expression in Cadmium–Stressed Maize (Zea mays L.)

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition

Publication Date

1-1-2025

Abstract

Soil contamination with toxic heavy metals [such as cadmium (Cd)] is becoming a serious global problem due to rapid development of social economy. The use of lysine (lys) bound micronutrients i.e., zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) being important fertilizer elements, has been found effective in enhancing plant tolerance against biotic and abiotic stresses. To explore the interactive effects of micronutrients with amino acid chelators [Fe, Zn and Mn–lys], a pot experiment was conducted to examine plant growth and eco–physiology in a controlled environment, using maize (Zea mays L.) plants grown in the soil spiked with CdCl₂•5H₂O i.e., 0 (no Cd), 50 and 100 mg kg⁻1 which were also foliar applied with Fe, Zn and Mn–lys i.e., 10 mM. The research outcomes indicated that elevated levels of Cd in the soil (100 mg kg⁻1) notably reduced plant growth and biomass, photo synthetic pigments, and gas exchange attributes. However, increasing levels of Cd stress also induced oxidative stress in the plants by increasing malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which also induced increased compounds of various enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants and also the gene expression and sugar content. Furthermore, a significant increase in proline metabolism, the AsA–GSH cycle, and the pigmentation of cellular components was observed. Although, the application of Fe, Zn and Mn–lys showed a significant increase in plant growth and biomass, gas exchange characteristics, enzymatic and non-enzymatic compounds, and their gene expression and also decreased oxidative stress. In addition, the application of Fe, Zn and Mn–lys enhanced cellular fractionation and decreased the proline metabolism and AsA − GSH cycle in Z. mays plants. These results open new insights for sustainable agriculture practices and hold immense promise in addressing the pressing challenges of heavy metal contamination in agricultural soils.

ISSN

0718-9508

Disciplines

Life Sciences

Keywords

Cereal crop, Gene expression, Heavy metal accumulation, Micronutrient chelation, Proline

Scopus ID

05006000350

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

no

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS