Cadmium (Cd) toxicity reduces growth and yield of crops grown in metal-polluted sites. Research was conducted to estimate the potential of hydrogen sulphide (H 2 S) to mitigate toxicity caused by Cd in fenugreek seedlings (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.).• Different concentrations of CdCl 2 (Cd1-1 mM, Cd2-1.5 mM, Cd3-2mM) and H 2 S (HS1-100 µM, HS2-150 µM, HS3-200 µM) were assessed. Seeds of fenugreek were primed with sodium hydrosulphide (NaHS), as H 2 S donor. Seedlings growing in Cd-spiked media treated with H 2 S were harvested after 2 weeks.• Cd stress affected growth of fenugreek seedlings. Cd toxicity decreased leaf relative water content (LRWC), intercellular CO 2 concentration, net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and transpiration. However, application of H 2 S significantly improved seedling morphological attributes by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes, i.e. APX, CAT and SOD, in Cd-contaminated soil. H 2 S treatment also regulated phenolic and flavonoid content.• H 2 S-induced biosynthesis of spermidine (Spd) and putrescine (Put) could account for the enhancement of growth and physiological performance of fenugreek seedlings under Cd stress. H 2 S treatment also reduced H 2 O 2 production (38%) and electrolyte leakage (EL, 51%) in seedlings grown in different concentrations of Cd. It is recommended to evaluate the efficacy of H 2 S in alleviating Cd toxicity in other crop plants.
Among heavy metals, cadmium (Cd) is one of the toxic metals, which significantly reduce the growth of plants even at a low concentration. Cd interacts with various plant mechanisms at the physiological and antioxidant levels, resulting in decreased plant growth. This research was conducted to exploit the potential of synergistic application of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and Moringa oleifera leaf extract in mitigation of Cd stress in linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) plants. The main aim of this study was to exploit the role of M. oleifera leaf extract and ZnO NPs on Cd-exposed linseed plants. Cd concentrations in the root and shoot of linseed plants decreased after administration of MZnO NPs. Growth parameters of plants, antioxidant system, and physiochemical parameters decreased as the external Cd level increased. The administration of MZnO NPs to the Cd-stressed linseed plant resulted in a significant increase in growth and antioxidant enzymes. Furthermore, the antioxidative enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) exhibited a considerable increase in the activity when MZnO NPs were applied to Cd-stressed seedlings. The introduction of MZnO NPs lowered the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the linseed plant grown in Cd-toxic conditions. The NPs decreased electrolyte leakage (EL) in Cd-stressed linseed leaves and roots. It was concluded that synergistic application of ZnO NPs and M. oleifera leaf extract alleviated Cd stress in linseed plants through enhanced activity of antioxidant enzymes. It is proposed that role of MZnO NPs may be evaluated for mitigation of numerous abiotic stresses.
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