Application of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) could have promotive effects on crop plants; however, their effects on seed germination and early growth of maize under cadmium (Cd) stress have rarely been investigated. A pot experiment was conducted with two maize varieties, Yuebaitiannuo7 and Yuecainuo2, grown under three Cd levels, i.e., 0, 100, and 200 mg L−1 (denoted as Cd0, Cd100, and Cd200, respectively) and three MWCNT levels, i.e., 0, 100, and 200 mg L−1 (denoted as M0, M100, and M200, respectively) as seed priming treatments to assess the MWCNT-induced modulations in seed germination rate, seedling growth, and related physio-biochemical attributes under Cd stress. Yuebaitiannuo7 showed higher seed germination rate and less root and shoot growth than Yuecainuo2. The MWCNT application promoted the seed germination rate of Yuecainuo2 by 11.42% at M100 and 24.76% at M200 under Cd100 at 4 days after sowing; however, these effects remained non-significant for Yuebaitiannuo7. Moreover, the MWCNTs enhanced root and shoot fresh weight and antioxidant enzyme activities, including peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities, and reduced the malonaldehyde (MDA) content under Cd across MWCNT treatments. Nevertheless, the toxic effects were also observed, indicating a potential risk posed by MWCNTs at high concentrations. Application of MWCNTs alleviated the Cd toxicity in growing maize plants; however, their effects were concentration dependent. Yuecainuo2 performed better than Yuebaitiannuo7 with the application of MWCNT under Cd stress.

Ecotoxicological responses of morphological and physiological parameters of cadmium-stressed maize seeds.

Seed Priming with Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) Modulates Seed Germination and Early Growth of Maize Under Cadmium (Cd) Toxicity

Silicon (Si) is a beneficial nutrient and is known for imparting resistance to many of the abiotic and biotic stresses in crop plants. A pot experiment was conducted in wire house to elucidate the effect of exogenous Si on growth, physiological, and biochemical activities in wheat at different phenological stages (seedling, vegetative, and maturity) under cadmium (Cd) stress. Surface sterilized seeds of Ujala-2016 wheat cultivar were sown in plastic pots. Foliar applied Si (3mM) inform of in the form of Si-NPs used in the present experiment under control (−Cd) and Cd stress (25mg/kg soil) conditions. Plants were harvested after 14 days of foliar spray at different phenological stages. The experimental treatments were arranged in completely randomized design with three replicates per treatment. Cadmium stress caused significant reduction in biomass production, photosynthetic pigments, total soluble protein (TSP), free amino acids (FAA), total soluble sugar (TSS), and phenolic contents, whereas increase of antioxidant enzymes activities such as ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), reducing sugar (RS), and proline contents as well as malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content, and electrolyte leakage (EL) was recorded. Foliar application of Si-NPs significantly improved the growth, photosynthetic pigments, levels of flavonoids, TSP, phenolics, FAA, proline, TSS, activities of APX, CAT, POD, and SOD enzymes. The oxidative damage measured in the form of endogenous levels of H2O2 and MDA was reduced in plants treated with exogenous application of Si. Further, Si application increased mineral ions in controlled and Cd-stressed plants and significantly reduced the Cd uptake. In short, this study revealed that foliar spray of Si alleviates the adverse effect of Cd on wheat by enhancing growth, metabolite accumulation, strengthening antioxidant defense system, reducing oxidative injury, improving plant nutrient status, and decreasing the Cd uptake.

Ecotoxicological responses of morphological and physiological parameters of cadmium-stressed maize seeds.

Citations

Seed Priming with Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) Modulates Seed Germination and Early Growth of Maize Under Cadmium (Cd) Toxicity

Alleviation of cadmium stress by silicon nanoparticles during different phenological stages of Ujala wheat variety

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