Fulvic acid mediates chromium (Cr) tolerance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) through lowering of Cr uptake and improved antioxidant defense system.
Chromium (Cr) stress is one of the most adverse environmental factors that affect plant growth and food chain contamination. Fulvic acid (FA) is known to enhance the growth and production of crops, but the studies are scare regarding the application of FA on metal tolerance in plants. The effects of FA application on alleviating Cr phytotoxicity in wheat plants were investigated in a pot experiment conducted in sand- and soil-grown plants. Three Cr (0, 0.25, and 0.50 mM) treatments in the form of K2Cr2O7 were applied in both soils with or without foliar application of 1.5 mg L(-1) FA. Plants were harvested after 4 months of treatments, and data regarding growth characteristics, biomass, photosynthetic pigments, and antioxidant enzymes were recorded. FA application increased plant biomass, photosynthetic pigments, and antioxidant enzymes while it decreased Cr uptake and accumulation in plants as compared with Cr treatments alone. We conclude that FA application contributes to decreased Cr concentrations in wheat grains and could be used as an amendment when aiming for decreased metal concentration in plants.
Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Government College University, Allama Iqbal Road, 38000, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Shafaqat
S
Ali
Saima Aslam
SA
Bharwana
Muhammad
M
Rizwan
Mujahid
M
Farid
Sidra
S
Kanwal
Qasim
Q
Ali
Muhammad
M
Ibrahim
Rafaqat Ali
RA
Gill
Muhammad Daud
MD
Khan
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001578:Benzopyrans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018533:Biomass; D002857:Chromium / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D014908:Triticum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000254:growth & development
D000975:Antioxidants; D001578:Benzopyrans; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D002857:Chromium; C005023:fulvic acid