Glutathione primed seed improved lead-stress tolerance in Brassica rapa L. through modulation of physio-biochemical attributes and nutrient uptake

Abstract

Heavy metal toxicity is a major environmental issue that affects all life forms, including plants. The accumulation of lead (Pb) in agricultural soils is a significant contributor to reduced crop yields, and it poses serious health risks to people who consume lead-contaminated agricultural products. The current study was undertaken to investigate the beneficial effects of glutathione (GSH) on the amelioration of stress induced by Pb (300 mg kg⁻¹ Pb) in Brassica rapa L. (turnip). For this purpose, B. rapa seeds primed with 25, 50, and 75 µmol L⁻¹. The root and shoot length, seedling biomass, and leaf area, was reduced under Pb stress. Lead toxicity inhibited the net photosynthetic rate (31.36%), total chlorophyll content (74.54%) of B. rapa plants in comparison to control. Lead-stressed plants additionally exhibited changes in proline levels, as well as lower levels of total soluble protein and phenolic content. Nevertheless, seed priming with GSH resulted in higher concentrations of the nutritional content (Mg⁺², Zn⁺², Na⁺, K⁺) that increased Pb stress tolerance. The GSH2 treated seed enhanced the photosynthetic rate (46.34%), stomatal conductance (80.55%), and transpiration rate (53.125%) over Pb stress. Furthermore, GSH2 enhanced total soluble proteins (37.75%), phenolic content (58.38%), and DPPH (1.5fold) of turnip plant over control seedlings. According to our research, GSH2 primed B. rapa seed demonstrated a reduction in Pb toxicity, which could be used to help seedling establishment in soils contaminated with Pb.

NOVELTY STATEMENT

Numerous studies highlight the advantages of plant growth regulators for agricultural crop development and productivity. Nevertheless, we know remarkably little about the role of glutathione as a seed-priming agent in vegetable crops. Additionally, little is known about how glutathione affects the physiological traits, nutrient content, and growth of B. rapa L. (turnip) under lead stress. Therefore, the goal of this work was to evaluate how exogenously applied glutathione improved the agronomic traits, physiochemical characteristics, and nutrient content of B. rapa L. under lead stress.

Graphical abstract

Schematic diagram showing the effect of glutathione on growth and physiochemical parameters of B. rapa grown in Pb-toxic soil.

Keywords:

• DPPH activity
• glutathione
• lead
• proline
• seed priming
• turnip

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).