Jasmonic acid alleviates negative impacts of cadmium stress by modifying osmolytes and antioxidants in faba bean (Vicia faba L.)

ABSTRACT

We examined the role of jasmonic acid (JA) in faba bean under cadmium (Cd) stress, which reduces the growth, biomass yield, leaf relative water content (LRWC) and pigment systems. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde [MDA]) levels increased by 2.78 and 2.24-fold, respectively, in plants under Cd stress, resulting in enhanced electrolyte leakage. Following foliar application to Cd-treated plants, JA restored growth, biomass yield, LRWC and pigment systems to appreciable levels and reduced levels of H₂O₂, MDA and electrolyte leakage. Proline and glycine betaine concentrations increased by 5.73 and 2.61-fold, respectively, in faba bean under Cd stress, with even higher concentrations observed following JA application to Cd-stressed plants. Superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase levels rose by 87.47%, 130.54%, 132.55% and 37.79%, respectively, with Cd toxicity, with further enhancement of antioxidant activities observed following foliar application of JA. Accumulation of Cd in roots, shoots and leaves was also minimized by external supplementation of JA. In conclusion, JA mitigates the negative impacts of Cd stress in faba bean plants by inhibiting the accumulation of Cd, H₂O₂ and MDA, and by enhancing osmolyte and antioxidant activities that reduce oxidative stress.

KEYWORDS:

• Antioxidants
• cadmium
• faba bean
• jasmonic acid
• osmolytes
• oxidative stress

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Saud University for its funding (Research group No. RGP-199).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the King Saud University [Research group No. RGP-199].