Open AccessPotential role of L-glutamic acid in mitigating cadmium toxicity in lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) through modulating the antioxidant defence system and nutrient homeostasis
Author(s) -
Jannatul Fardus,
Md. Shahadat Hossain,
Masayuki Fujita
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
notulae botanicae horti agrobotanici cluj-napoca
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.332
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 1842-4309
pISSN - 0255-965X
DOI - 10.15835/nbha49412485
Subject(s) - catalase , antioxidant , chemistry , oxidative stress , shoot , glutathione reductase , chlorophyll , cadmium , carotenoid , toxicity , peroxidase , glutathione , photosynthesis , biochemistry , food science , horticulture , biology , glutathione peroxidase , enzyme , organic chemistry
Using phosphate fertilizers and wastewater as a source of irrigation and residuals from industries have considerably increased the level of cadmium (Cd) in soil which severely reduced the growth and yield of crop. L-glutamic acid (L-Glu), an amino acid, plays key roles in plant stress tolerance. Hence, the current study was conducted to determine the potential role of L-Glu pre-treatment in alleviating Cd-induced toxicity in lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.). Lentil seedlings were exposed to two doses of Cd (1 and 2 mM CdCl2) with or without 10 mM L-Glu pre-treatment. The results suggested that a high dose of Cd negatively affected the shoot dry weight, root dry weight, and photosynthetic pigments (chlorophylls and carotenoids). Furthermore, Cd stress induced severe oxidative damage, a reduction in catalase (CAT) activity and ascorbate (AsA) content, and accumulation of Cd in both the roots and shoots. Adding L-Glu protected the photosynthetic pigments of the lentil seedlings and thus improved the growth of the seedlings. In addition, L-Glu pre-treatment enhanced the ascorbate (AsA) content; increased the activity of enzymes such as catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, monodehydroascorbate reductase, and glutathione peroxidase. L-Glu was also reduced Cd uptake and translocation, which in turn alleviated the oxidative damage in the Cd-stressed seedlings indicated the potential role of this chemical. Results suggest that pre-treatment with L-Glu reduces Cd toxicity in lentil seedlings by inhibiting Cd accumulation and by reducing oxidative damage.