Work

Oxidative damages induced by short-term exposure to cadmium in bean plants: Protective role of salicylic acid

Year: 2013

Type: article

Abstract: The role of salicylic acid (SA) in alleviating cadmium (Cd) toxicity was investigated in a hydroponic cultivation system. Short-term exposure of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) plants to 20 μM Cd inhibited biomass production and intensively increased accumulation of Cd in both roots and leaves. At leaf level, Cd significantly decreased mineral ions, chlorophyll and carotenoids concentrations. Concomitantly, Cd enhanced electrolyte leakage, H2O2 content and lipid peroxidation as indicated by malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation. SA pretreatment decreased the uptake and the transport of Cd, alleviated the Cd-induced inhibition of nutrient absorption and led to a significant increase of chlorophyll and carotenoid content. SA application alleviated the oxidative damages as evidenced by the lowered H2O2 and MDA content. SA particularly induced an increase in both CAT and APX activities accompanied by a significant reduction in SOD and POD activities. As important antioxidants, ascorbate and glutathione contents in bean leaves exposed to cadmium were significantly decreased by SA treatment. These results reveal the potentiating effect of salicylic acid in regulating cadmium induced oxidative stress in bean plants.

Source: South African Journal of Botany

DOI: 10.1016/j.sajb.2012.12.002

Authors: Issam Saidi, Marwa Ayouni, Amina Dhieb, Yassine Chtourou, Wided Chaïbi, Wahbi Djebali

Institutions: Tunis University, Tunis El Manar University, University of Sfax, Faculty of Sciences of Sfax

Language: English

Topic: Plant Stress Responses and Tolerance

Subfield: Plant Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,750