Behavior of Cucumis sativus L. in presence of aluminum stress: Germination, plant growth, and antioxidant enzymes

Abstract

Aluminum (Al) is an ubiquitously present element in soil; it is considered as a major problem in crop production that affects plant growth and development on acid soils. The aim of this work was to determine the germination parameters, to quantify the water status and growth, to assess the Al accumulation, and antioxidant enzyme activities in plants to evaluate the stress exerted by aluminum in Cucumis sativus L. For germination test, increasing doses of Al were used (0, 200, 500, 1,000, and 2,000 μM). Results showed that germination was stimulated with 500 of Al. Aluminum effects on development were studied by treating the plants with different concentrations of Al (100, 200, 300, and 500 µM, Al) during 45 days. As regards to the plant's growth, water content, and dry biomass production there was a slight increase. On the other hand, the activities of the antioxidant enzymes were disturbed by aluminum stress. Data indicate that the catalase (CAT) activity showed a decrease in the different parts of the plant. However, guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities were significantly stimulated. Studying the effects of Al‐induced stress allowed us to conclude that cucumber has a high ability to accumulate this element in the roots.

Appraisal of Abelmoschus esculentus L. Response to Aluminum and Barium Stress

“…Moreover, previous studies have shown that exposure to TME stress disturbs the water status in plants. For instance, in cucumber plants treated with Al [ 24 ] and Ba [ 33 ], the water content in the roots increased compared to the control, which agrees with our findings. Other studies revealed that in soybean, Ba treatment did not affect the water potential or relative water content [ 9 ].…”

“…This element is implicated in the inhibition of primary root growth [ 21 ] and the attenuation of the photosynthetic performance [ 22 , 23 ]. For example, the exposure of cucumber plants to Al stress caused a decrease in biomass production in the roots [ 24 ]. Pirzadah et al [ 25 ] revealed that in two buckwheat species, fresh biomass was significantly reduced to 58.15% and 58.09%, respectively, in F. kashmirianum and F. tataricum with 300 μM of Al.…”

Combined Role of Fe Nanoparticles (Fe NPs) and Staphylococcus aureus L. in the Alleviation of Chromium Stress in Rice Plants

“…In this study, the Cr stress enhanced the EL, MDA, and H 2 O 2 concentration, and it enhanced the antioxidant enzymes activities in the rice plants ( Figure 4 and Figure 5 ). The Cr stress may trigger oxidative stress in plants and initiate ROS overproduction in plants [ 57 ]. This oxidative stress and overproduction of ROS might disturb the physiological process in plants and ultimately decrease plant growth.…”

Differential responses of growth, metals accumulation, oxidative stress and Osmo-compatible solutes in the Halophyte Tamarix gallica under Arsenic and Aluminum stress alone or combined with salt

“…Other studies showed different behaviour in GPX activity as a response to Al stress. Kouki et al (2021) reported that Al-induced a decrease in GPX activity. However, augmentation of GPX around 31% was observed in Vigna trilobata (L.) Verde after exposure to 6 mM Al (Arundhathi et al, 2016).…”

“…This was similar to the results observed in Helianthus annus L. (Jouili et al, 2011) subjected to Al stress where there was stimulation in GPX activity. In the cell, the GPX enzyme s known as very sensitive toward metal and it had the ability to change its activity (Kouki et al, 2021).…”