Physiological responses of Cucurbita pepo seeds to cadmium and copper stress: Differential impacts on reserve mobilization, metabolic efficiency, and growth.

ABSTRACT: Heavy metal contamination poses a significant threat to agricultural productivity. This study investigated the physiological and biochemical responses of Cucurbita pepo seeds to cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu) stress (100-200 µM) during germination. Although germination rates remained high (86.67-93.33%), seed vigor indices declined significantly under metal stress. Cadmium exhibited stronger growth inhibition, reducing total seedling length by 63.02% at 200 µM, whereas copper primarily affected biomass accumulation, reducing the seedling weight-based vigor index (SVIW) by 40.4%. Biochemical analyses revealed metal-specific impacts on reserve mobilization. Cadmium exposure (200 µM) decreased soluble sugars in cotyledons by 16%, while maintaining protein content at 106% of control levels, indi

SUBMITTER: Acila S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12858001 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature