1
|
Umair Hassan M, Huang G, Haider FU, Khan TA, Noor MA, Luo F, Zhou Q, Yang B, Ul Haq MI, Iqbal MM. Application of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles to Mitigate Cadmium Toxicity: Mechanisms and Future Prospects. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:1706. [PMID: 38931138 PMCID: PMC11207998 DOI: 10.3390/plants13121706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd), as the most prevalent heavy metal contaminant poses serious risks to plants, humans, and the environment. The ubiquity of this toxic metal is continuously increasing due to the rapid discharge of industrial and mining effluents and the excessive use of chemical fertilizers. Nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged as a novel strategy to alleviate Cd toxicity. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) have become the most important NPs used to mitigate the toxicity of abiotic stresses and improve crop productivity. The plants quickly absorb Cd, which subsequently disrupts plant physiological and biochemical processes and increases the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which causes the oxidation of cellular structures and significant growth losses. Besides this, Cd toxicity also disrupts leaf osmotic pressure, nutrient uptake, membrane stability, chlorophyll synthesis, and enzyme activities, leading to a serious reduction in growth and biomass productivity. Though plants possess an excellent defense mechanism to counteract Cd toxicity, this is not enough to counter higher concentrations of Cd toxicity. Applying Zn-NPs has proven to have significant potential in mitigating the toxic effects of Cd. ZnO-NPs improve chlorophyll synthesis, photosynthetic efficiency, membrane stability, nutrient uptake, and gene expression, which can help to counter toxic effects of Cd stress. Additionally, ZnO-NPs also help to reduce Cd absorption and accumulation in plants, and the complex relationship between ZnO-NPs, osmolytes, hormones, and secondary metabolites plays an important role in Cd tolerance. Thus, this review concentrates on exploring the diverse mechanisms by which ZnO nanoparticles can alleviate Cd toxicity in plants. In the end, this review has identified various research gaps that need addressing to ensure the promising future of ZnO-NPs in mitigating Cd toxicity. The findings of this review contribute to gaining a deeper understanding of the role of ZnO-NPs in combating Cd toxicity to promote safer and sustainable crop production by remediating Cd-polluted soils. This also allows for the development of eco-friendly approaches to remediate Cd-polluted soils to improve soil fertility and environmental quality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Umair Hassan
- Research Center on Ecological Sciences, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China; (M.U.H.); (T.A.K.); (M.A.N.); (F.L.); (Q.Z.); (B.Y.)
| | - Guoqin Huang
- Research Center on Ecological Sciences, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China; (M.U.H.); (T.A.K.); (M.A.N.); (F.L.); (Q.Z.); (B.Y.)
| | | | - Tahir Abbas Khan
- Research Center on Ecological Sciences, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China; (M.U.H.); (T.A.K.); (M.A.N.); (F.L.); (Q.Z.); (B.Y.)
| | - Mehmood Ali Noor
- Research Center on Ecological Sciences, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China; (M.U.H.); (T.A.K.); (M.A.N.); (F.L.); (Q.Z.); (B.Y.)
| | - Fang Luo
- Research Center on Ecological Sciences, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China; (M.U.H.); (T.A.K.); (M.A.N.); (F.L.); (Q.Z.); (B.Y.)
| | - Quan Zhou
- Research Center on Ecological Sciences, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China; (M.U.H.); (T.A.K.); (M.A.N.); (F.L.); (Q.Z.); (B.Y.)
| | - Binjuan Yang
- Research Center on Ecological Sciences, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China; (M.U.H.); (T.A.K.); (M.A.N.); (F.L.); (Q.Z.); (B.Y.)
| | | | - Muhammad Mahmood Iqbal
- Agronomy (Forage Production) Section, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan;
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Yasin MU, Hannan F, Munir R, Muhammad S, Iqbal M, Yasin I, Khan MSS, Kanwal F, Chunyan Y, Fan X, Gan Y. Interactive mode of biochar-based silicon and iron nanoparticles mitigated Cd-toxicity in maize. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169288. [PMID: 38110103 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
Cadmium contamination poses severe environmental and health threats, necessitating effective mitigation strategies. Rice husk biochar (BC) and nanoparticle (NP) treatments are emerging strategies with limited research on their synergistic benefits. This study assesses BC, silicon NPs (nSi), and iron NPs (nFe) modifications (B-nSi, B-nFe, and B-nSi-nFe) to reduce Cd-bioavailability in soil and its toxicity in maize, not reported before. Characterization of amendments validated, nSi and nFe attachment to BC, forming new mineral crystals to adsorb Cd. We found that B-nSi-nFe induced Cd-immobilization in soil by the formation of Cd-ligand complexes with the effective retention of NPs within microporous structure of BC. B-nSi-nFe increased soil pH by 0.76 units while reducing bioavailable Cd by 49 %, than Ck-Cd. Resultantly, B-nSi-nFe reduced Cd concentrations in roots and shoots by 51 % and 75 %, respectively. Moreover, the application of B-nSi-nFe significantly enhanced plant biomass, antioxidant activities, and upregulated the expression of antioxidant genes [ZmAPX (3.28 FC), ZmCAT (3.20 FC), ZmPOD (2.58 FC), ZmSOD (3.08 FC), ZmGSH (3.17 FC), and ZmMDHAR (3.80 FC)] while downregulating Cd transporter genes [ZmNramp5 (3.65 FC), ZmHMA2 (2.92 FC), and ZmHMA3 (3.40 FC)] compared to Ck-Cd. Additionally, confocal microscopy confirmed the efficacy of B-nSi-nFe in maintaining cell integrity due to reduced oxidative stress. SEM and TEM observations revealed alleviation of Cd toxicity to stomata, guard cells, and ultracellular structures with B-nSi-nFe treatment. Overall, this study demonstrated the potential of B-nSi-nFe for reducing Cd mobility in soil-plant system, mitigating Cd-toxicity in plants and improving enzymatic activities in soil.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Umair Yasin
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Fakhir Hannan
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Raheel Munir
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Sajid Muhammad
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Muhammad Iqbal
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Government College University, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Iqra Yasin
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan
| | | | - Farah Kanwal
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yang Chunyan
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xingming Fan
- Institute of Food Crops, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Yinbo Gan
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Cruzado-Tafur E, Orzoł A, Gołębiowski A, Pomastowski P, Cichorek M, Olszewski J, Walczak-Skierska J, Buszewski B, Szultka-Młyńska M, Głowacka K. Metal tolerance and Cd phytoremoval ability in Pisum sativum grown in spiked nutrient solution. JOURNAL OF PLANT RESEARCH 2023; 136:931-945. [PMID: 37676608 PMCID: PMC10587304 DOI: 10.1007/s10265-023-01493-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
In the presented study, the effects of cadmium (Cd) stress and silicon (Si) supplementation on the pea plant (Pisum sativum L.) were investigated. The tendency to accumulate cadmium in the relevant morphological parts of the plant (roots and shoots respectively)-bioaccumulation, the transfer of this element in the plant (translocation) and the physiological parameters of the plant through indicators of oxidative stress were determined. Model studies were carried out at pH values 6.0 and 5.0 plant growth conditions in the hydroponic cultivation. It was shown that Cd accumulates mostly in plant roots at both pH levels. However, the Cd content is higher in the plants grown at lower pH. The Cd translocation factor was below 1.0, which indicates that the pea is an excluder plant. The contamination of the plant growth environment with Cd causes the increased antioxidant stress by the growing parameters of the total phenolic content (TPC), polyphenol oxidase activity (PPO), the malondialdehyde (MDA) and lipid peroxidation (LP). The results obtained showed that the supplementation with Si reduces these parameters, thus lowering the oxidative stress of the plant. Moreover, supplementation with Si leads to a lower content of Cd in the roots and reduces bioaccumulation of Cd in shoots and roots of pea plants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edith Cruzado-Tafur
- Department of Plant Physiology, Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 1a, 10-719, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Orzoł
- Department of Environmental Chemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Gagarin 7, 87-100, Torun, Poland
| | - Adrian Gołębiowski
- Department of Environmental Chemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Gagarin 7, 87-100, Torun, Poland
- Centre for Modern Interdisciplinary Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Wilenska 4, 87-100, Torun, Poland
| | - Paweł Pomastowski
- Centre for Modern Interdisciplinary Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Wilenska 4, 87-100, Torun, Poland
| | - Mateusz Cichorek
- Department of Plant Physiology, Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 1a, 10-719, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Jacek Olszewski
- Experimental Education Unit, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Plac Łódzki 1, 10-721, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Justyna Walczak-Skierska
- Department of Environmental Chemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Gagarin 7, 87-100, Torun, Poland
- Centre for Modern Interdisciplinary Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Wilenska 4, 87-100, Torun, Poland
| | - Bogusław Buszewski
- Department of Environmental Chemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Gagarin 7, 87-100, Torun, Poland
- Centre for Modern Interdisciplinary Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Wilenska 4, 87-100, Torun, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Szultka-Młyńska
- Department of Environmental Chemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Gagarin 7, 87-100, Torun, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Głowacka
- Department of Plant Physiology, Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 1a, 10-719, Olsztyn, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Moravčíková D, Žiarovská J. The Effect of Cadmium on Plants in Terms of the Response of Gene Expression Level and Activity. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:plants12091848. [PMID: 37176906 PMCID: PMC10181241 DOI: 10.3390/plants12091848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal that can cause damage to living organisms at different levels. Even at low concentrations, Cd can be toxic to plants, causing harm at multiple levels. As they are unable to move away from areas contaminated by Cd, plants have developed various defence mechanisms to protect themselves. Hyperaccumulators, which can accumulate and detoxify heavy metals more efficiently, are highly valued by scientists studying plant accumulation and detoxification mechanisms, as they provide a promising source of genes for developing plants suitable for phytoremediation techniques. So far, several genes have been identified as being upregulated when plants are exposed to Cd. These genes include genes encoding transcription factors such as iron-regulated transporter-like protein (ZIP), natural resistance associated macrophage protein (NRAMP) gene family, genes encoding phytochelatin synthases (PCs), superoxide dismutase (SOD) genes, heavy metal ATPase (HMA), cation diffusion facilitator gene family (CDF), Cd resistance gene family (PCR), ATP-binding cassette transporter gene family (ABC), the precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid synthase (ACS) and precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase (ACO) multigene family are also influenced. Thanks to advances in omics sciences and transcriptome analysis, we are gaining more insights into the genes involved in Cd stress response. Recent studies have also shown that Cd can affect the expression of genes related to antioxidant enzymes, hormonal pathways, and energy metabolism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dagmar Moravčíková
- Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Institute of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Jana Žiarovská
- Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Institute of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Hou L, Ji S, Zhang Y, Wu X, Zhang L, Liu P. The mechanism of silicon on alleviating cadmium toxicity in plants: A review. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1141138. [PMID: 37035070 PMCID: PMC10076724 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1141138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Cadmium is one of the most toxic heavy metal elements that seriously threaten food safety and agricultural production worldwide. Because of its high solubility, cadmium can easily enter plants, inhibiting plant growth and reducing crop yield. Therefore, finding a way to alleviate the inhibitory effects of cadmium on plant growth is critical. Silicon, the second most abundant element in the Earth's crust, has been widely reported to promote plant growth and alleviate cadmium toxicity. This review summarizes the recent progress made to elucidate how silicon mitigates cadmium toxicity in plants. We describe the role of silicon in reducing cadmium uptake and transport, improving plant mineral nutrient supply, regulating antioxidant systems and optimizing plant architecture. We also summarize in detail the regulation of plant water balance by silicon, and the role of this phenomenon in enhancing plant resistance to cadmium toxicity. An in-depth analysis of literature has been conducted to identify the current problems related to cadmium toxicity and to propose future research directions.
Collapse
|
6
|
Zheng MM, Feng D, Liu HJ, Yang GL. Subcellular distribution, chemical forms of cadmium and rhizosphere microbial community in the process of cadmium hyperaccumulation in duckweed. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 859:160389. [PMID: 36423841 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Duckweed is a newly reported Cd hyperaccumulator that grow rapidly; however, little is known about its tolerance and detoxification mechanisms. In this study, we investigated the tissue, subcellular, and chemical form distribution of the Cd in duckweed and studied the influences of Cd on duckweed growth, ultrastructure, and rhizosphere microbial community. The results showed that Cd could negatively affect the growth of duckweed and shorten the root length. More Cd accumulated in the roots than in the leaves, and Cd was transferred from the roots to the leaves with time. During 12-24 h, Cd mainly existed in the cell wall fraction (2.05 %-95.52 %) and the organelle fraction (5.03 %-97.80 %), followed the soluble fraction (0.14 %-16.98 %). Over time, the proportion of Cd in the organelles increased (46.64 %-92.83 %), exceeding that in the cell wall (6.79 %-66.23 %), which indicated that duckweed detoxification mechanism may be related to the retention of cell wall and vacuole. The main chemical form of Cd was the NaCl-extracted state (30.15 %-88.66 %), which was integrated with pectate and protein. With increasing stress concentration and time, the proportion of the HCl-extracted state and HAc-extracted state increased, and they were low-toxic Cd oxalate and Cd phosphate, respectively. Cd damaged the ultrastructure of cells such as chloroplasts and mitochondria and inhibited the diversity of microbial communities in the duckweed rhizosphere; however, the dominant populations that could tolerate heavy metals increased. It was speculated that duckweed distributed Cd in a less toxic chemical form in a less active location, mainly through retention in the root cell wall and sequestration in the leaf vacuoles, and is dynamically adjusted. The rhizosphere microbial communities tolerate heavy metals may also be one of the mechanisms by which duckweed can tolerate Cd. This study revealed the mechanism of duckweed tolerance and detoxification of Cd at the molecular level and provides a theoretical basis for further development of duckweed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Meng Zheng
- Key laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), CollaborativeInnovation Center forMountain Ecology & Agro-Bioengineering (CICMEAB), College of Life Sciences/Institute of Agro-bioengineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Dan Feng
- Key laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), CollaborativeInnovation Center forMountain Ecology & Agro-Bioengineering (CICMEAB), College of Life Sciences/Institute of Agro-bioengineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Hui-Jiao Liu
- Key laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), CollaborativeInnovation Center forMountain Ecology & Agro-Bioengineering (CICMEAB), College of Life Sciences/Institute of Agro-bioengineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Gui-Li Yang
- Key laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), CollaborativeInnovation Center forMountain Ecology & Agro-Bioengineering (CICMEAB), College of Life Sciences/Institute of Agro-bioengineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou Province, China; Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, Guizhou Province, China.
| |
Collapse
|