Work

Response of Morus alba L. to cadmium stress with potential for restoration: physiological and microbiological perspectives

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Cadmium (Cd) contamination threatens plant productivity and the stability of soil ecosystems. However, the mechanisms by which woody plants tolerate Cd stress remain incompletely understood. In this study, one-year-old Morus alba L. saplings were exposed to a gradient of Cd concentrations to investigate plant physiological responses, metal allocation patterns, cellular ultrastructure, and rhizosphere microbial communities. Increasing Cd concentrations progressively reduced plant growth, nutrient status, pigment content, and photosynthetic performance, while oxidative stress and membrane damage increased. In contrast, low Cd exposure induced a mild hormetic response, characterized by enhanced antioxidant activity, osmotic regulation, and a temporary increase in photosynthetic capacity. Bioaccumulation indices together with ultrastructural observations revealed a dose-dependent change in Cd handling. Under lower Cd exposure, Cd was more readily translocated to shoots, whereas higher Cd levels promoted root sequestration and intracellular compartmentalization. Despite Cd treatment, rhizosphere bacterial α-diversity remained relatively stable, although several Cd-tolerant taxa increased in relative abundance. Overall, these results demonstrate the tolerance capacity of M. alba to Cd stress and highlight its potential for the phytoremediation of mildly to moderately Cd-contaminated soils.

Source: Frontiers in Plant Science

DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2026.1795556