Physiological regulation underlying the alleviation of cadmium stress in maize seedlings by exogenous glycerol.

ABSTRACT: Cadmium (Cd) contamination in maize poses a significant threat to global food security due to its persistent accumulation in crops. In this study, the effects of foliar application of glycerol on Cd accumulation in maize seedlings were studied. Our results demonstrated that under Cd treatment, biomass, total chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate (Pn), Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) activity, Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) activity, sucrose levels, and carbohydrate levels in maize seedlings significantly increased after glycerol application. H₂O₂ and MDA levels in both the aboveground and belowground portions of the maize plants significantly decreased. Moreover, superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT)

SUBMITTER: Li Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11961616 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature