Plant growth regulators and EDTA improve phytoremediation potential and antioxidant response of Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin & Clemants in a Cd-spiked soil

• Published in: Environmental science and pollution research international Vol. 28; no. 32; pp. 43417 - 43430
• Main Authors: Jan, Amin Ullah, Hadi, Fazal, Shah, Abdullah, Ditta, Allah, Nawaz, Muhammad Asif, Tariq, Muhammad
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.08.2021; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Accumulation; Acetic acid; Antioxidants; Aquatic Pollution; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Bioaccumulation; Biodegradation, Environmental; Biological magnification; Biomass; Cadmium; Cadmium - analysis; Chlorophyll; Dysphania; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Edetic Acid; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Environmental science; Enzymatic activity; Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acids; Food security; Gibberellic acid; Growth regulators; Indoleacetic acid; Phenolic compounds; Phenols; Photosynthesis; Photosynthetic pigments; Phytoremediation; Pigments; Plant growth; Plant Growth Regulators; Plant Roots - chemistry; Proline; Research Article; Soil; Soil contamination; Soil investigations; Soil Pollutants - analysis; Soil pollution; Statistical analysis; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control; Antioxidants; IAA; GA; Cd phytoextraction; Chelate-assisted; Phytoremediation; GA3
• ISSN: 0944-1344; 1614-7499
• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-13772-2

Soil pollution due to potentially toxic elements is a worldwide challenge for health and food security. Chelate-assisted phytoextraction along with the application of plant growth regulators (PGRs) could increase the phytoremediation efficiency of metal-contaminated soils. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of different PGRs [Gibberellic acid (GA 3 ) and indole acetic acid (IAA)] and synthetic chelator (EDTA) on growth parameters and Cd phytoextraction potential of Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin & Clemants grown under Cd-spiked soil. GA 3 (10 −7 M) and IAA (10 −5 M) were applied four times with an interval of 10 days through a foliar spray, while EDTA (40 mg kg −1 soil) was once added to the soil. The results showed that Cd stress significantly decreased fresh biomass, dry biomass, total water contents, and photosynthetic pigments as compared to control. Application of PGRs significantly enhanced plant growth and Cd phytoextraction. The combined application of GA 3 and IAA with EDTA significantly increased Cd accumulation (6.72 mg pot −1 dry biomass) and bioconcentration factor (15.21) as compared to C 1 (Cd only). The same treatment significantly increased chlorophyll, proline, phenolic contents, and antioxidant activities (CAT, SOD, and POD) while MDA contents were reduced. In roots, Cd accumulation showed a statistically significant and positive correlation with proline, phenolics, fresh biomass, and dry biomass. Similarly, Cd accumulation showed a positive correlation with antioxidant enzyme activities in leaves. D. ambrosioides showed hyperaccumulation potential for Cd, based on bioconcentration factor (BCF) > 1. In conclusion, exogenous application of GA 3 and IAA reduces Cd stress while EDTA application enhances Cd phytoextraction and ultimately the phytoremediation potential of D. ambrosioides .