Alleviating Effect of Silicon Fertilizer on Wheat Seedlings Under Cadmium Stress and Its Physiological Mechanism

doi:10.11924/j.issn.1000-6850.casb2026-0033

Abstract

Abstract:

Cadmium (Cd) accumulation in wheat and its transfer into the food chain represent a major global environmental concern. To clarify the physiological mechanism by which silicon (Si) fertilizer alleviates cadmium toxicity in wheat, the paper used the wheat variety ‘Bainong 607’ and conducted a hydroponic experiment. 4 treatments were set up, including control (CK), Cd treatment (Cd, 44.4 µmol/L), Si treatment (Si, 1 mmol/L), and combined Si and Cd treatment (Si+Cd, 1 mmol/L Si+44.4 µmol/L Cd), to investigate the alleviating effects of Si on seedlings growth, root development, Cd accumulation, and the antioxidant system under Cd stress. The results showed that compared with CK, Cd treatment significantly inhibited wheat seedling growth, reducing plant height, fresh weight, dry weight, root surface area, and root volume by 4.3%, 26.5%, 42.9%, 27.4%, and 35.4%, respectively. Compared with Cd treatment, Si+Cd treatment significantly alleviated Cd toxicity, increasing fresh weight, dry weight, root length, root surface area, and root volume by 29.2%, 37.5%, 18.4%, 26.8%, and 37.5%, respectively; meanwhile, Si+Cd treatment significantly altered the Cd distribution in wheat seedlings: the Cd content in the aboveground stems and leaves decreased by 3.3% and 18.4%, respectively, while the Cd retention in the roots increased by 15.7%, reducing the Cd translocation factor from the roots to the aboveground parts. Furthermore, compared with Cd treatment, Si+Cd treatment significantly reduced root malondialdehyde (MDA) content by 27.5% and regulated peroxidase (POD) activity, effectively mitigating oxidative damage. In conclusion, Si application can effectively alleviate Cd stress in wheat seedlings by promoting root development, inhibiting Cd upward transport, and enhancing the antioxidant defense system. These findings provide a theoretical basis for using Si fertilizer to reduce Cd-induced harm and ensure safe wheat production in soils moderately and lightly contaminated with Cd.

Key words: wheat seedlings, cadmium stress, silicon, root characteristics, antioxidant enzyme activity

CLC Number:

Q945.78

LIU Yabiao, ZHENG Fuquan, ZHANG Ying, WANG Fei, FEI Liwei, LIU Runqiang. Alleviating Effect of Silicon Fertilizer on Wheat Seedlings Under Cadmium Stress and Its Physiological Mechanism[J]. Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin, 2026, 42(20): 80-87.

Figures/Tables 5

References 37

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