title: Silicon (Si) alleviates cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) from zinc (Zn) toxicity stress by limiting Zn uptake and oxidative damage.
abstract: Silicon (Si) is as an important fertilizer element, which has been found effective in enhancing plant tolerance to variety of biotic and a-biotic stresses. This study investigates the Si potential to alleviate zinc (Zn) toxicity stress in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Cotton plants were grown in hydroponics and exposed to different Zn concentration, 0, 25, and 50 μM, alone and/or in combination with 1 mM Si. Incremental Zn concentration in growth media instigated the cellular oxidative damage that was evident from elevated levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), electrolyte leakage, and malondialdehyde (MDA) and consequently inhibited cotton growth, biomass, chlorophyll pigments, and photosynthetic process. Application of Si significantly suppressed Zn accumulation in various plant parts, i.e., roots, stems, and leaves and thus promoted biomass, photosynthetic, growth parameters, and antioxidant enzymes activity of Zn-stressed as well unstressed plants. In addition, Si reduced the MDA and H2O2 production and electrolyte leakage suggesting its role in protecting cotton plants from Zn toxicity-induced oxidative damage. Thus, the study indicated that exogenous Si application could improve growth and development of cotton crop experiencing Zn toxicity stress by limiting Zn bioavailability and oxidative damage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Government College University, Allama Iqbal Road, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Shad Ali
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Anwaar
authors.forename: Shafaqat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: Skhawat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: Wajid
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ishaque
authors.forename: Mujahid
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Farid
authors.forename: Muhammad Ahsan
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Farooq
authors.forename: Ullah
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Najeeb
authors.forename: Farhat
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Abbas
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sharif
mesh_terms: D018533:Biomass; D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000378:metabolism; D003368:Gossypium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000032:analysis; D018527:Hydroponics; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000378:metabolism; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000378:metabolism; D036226:Seedlings / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D017640:Silicates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity*; D015032:Zinc / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D017640:Silicates; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D002734:Chlorophyll; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; C005691:sodium silicate; D015032:Zinc