Effects of Lead (Pb) Contamination on Growth, Antioxidants and Osmo-Protectants in Zea mays (L.): Plants Strategy to Combat Metal Toxicity

Muhammad Imran Atta, Syeda Sadaf Zahra, Saadullah Khan Leghari, Faisal Hussain, Muhammad Khuram Afzal, Sadia Sarwar, Sara Aimen

Abstract


Abiotic stress includes the heavy metal stress which is consistently increasing and damaging agricultural crops productivity. The major cause of this issue is anthropogenic activities in the area. The present study was conducted to evaluate the phytotoxicity of lead (Pb) heavy metal on different morphological (plant height, leaf count, dry biomass) and biochemical (H2O2, MDA, activity of catalase & dismutase, free amino acids, total soluble proteins, soluble sugars, chlorophyll) attributes of two maize varieties (Pak Afgoi and Neelem Desi). Affected plant growth and accumulation of ROS-biomarkers have shown Pb toxicity in the test varieties. Although, the growth of maize plants was adversely affected by varying concentrations of Pb (30-300ppm) as Pb (NO3)2, yet plants were able to strive Pb-toxicity by inducing antioxidant enzymes and accumulation of some osmoprotectants. The activity of CAT and SOD was increased and showed a linear correlation with ROS-biomarkers. Both maize varieties showed a varying metal dose response regarding the accumulation of osmoprotectants that were less affected at lower metal doses than at higher doses. Accumulation of total free amino acids, soluble proteins and soluble sugars in Pb affected plants showed tolerance and adaptive trends specifically in Afgoi and Neelem maize varieties. Leaf chlorophyll also decreased due to Pb toxicity and might have a relation with plant photosynthetic and growth performance against Pb stress. However, we found that the Pak-Afgoi is highly tolerant maize against Pb polluted soils as it was less affected by Pb as compared to Neelem Desi and is suggested for the growers.

Keywords


Heavy metals; Growth; ROS; Biomarkers; Soluble sugar; Catalase; SOD; Chlorophyll

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.33687/planthealth.03.02.5505

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