Magnitude of cadmium phytotoxicity on β-amylase activity and seed germination influenced by the choice of substrate and plant cultivar

• Published in: Environmental Sustainability Vol. 6; no. 4; pp. 477 - 485
• Main Authors: Nahari Alishah, Farzaneh, Safari, Marzieh
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Singapore Springer Nature Singapore 01.12.2023
• Subjects: Climate Change; Earth and Environmental Science; Environment; Environmental Management; Natural Resources; Original Article; Sustainable Development; Cadmium; Germination indices; β-amylase enzyme; Wheat cultivar; Substrates; Zinc
• ISSN: 2523-8922
• DOI: 10.1007/s42398-023-00295-4

When investigating the heavy metals toxicity in a germination experiment there might be a chance for the interference of the chosen substrate reducing the toxicity effect on the seeds. In that regard, we investigated the cadmium (Cd) phytotoxicity effect of different concentrations (0, 35 and 75 mg L −1 ) on seed germination of two wheat cultivars ( Triticum aestivum L. cv. Chamran, bread wheat; and Triticum turgidum L. cv. MD87 , durum wheat) grown on different substrates of filter paper, perlite and sand, receiving different concentrations of zinc (Zn) as micronutrient (0, 15 and 30 mg L −1 ). The experiment was done in a completely randomized design with the factorial arrangement. β-amylase enzyme activity, radicle and plumule lengths, dry weights and germination indices were measured and found to be significantly affected by type of substrates, wheat cultivars, and concentrations of both Cd and Zn. Among substrates, filter paper induced the highest β-amylase activity hence stimulated the germination indices, while sand appeared to be the least favorable substrate for all the evaluated traits. In general, between the two wheat cultivars, bread wheat showed more sensitivity towards Cd toxicity. Application of Zn as micronutrient reduced Cd negative effects on germinating seeds in both wheat cultivars but profoundly on durum wheat. All together the results of this experiment implied that both genetic and the environmental factors are influential on the extend of Cd phytotoxicity on wheat germination. We suggest that the investigations on heavy metals phytotoxicity effects on germination be done in sand substrate to eliminate any chance of metals adsorption on the substrate to observe the full-scale toxicity effects.