Cadmium Toxicity in Wheat: Impacts on Element Contents, Antioxidant Enzyme Activities, Oxidative Stress, and Genotoxicity

Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) pollution is constantly increasing in agricultural systems due to anthropogenic activities and causes significant reductions in the yield of crop species. In this study, we aimed to determine the effect of Cd stress on growth, element contents, oxidative damage, antioxidant enzyme activities, and genotoxicity in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). To achieve this goal, 7-day-old wheat seedlings were subjected to different concentrations of Cd(NO3)(2)center dot 4H(2)O (250, 500, and 1000 mu M) for 4 days. The results show that Cd stress induces growth inhibition, oxidative injury, and genotoxicity in wheat seedlings. Moreover, the highest concentration of Cd treatment led to a significant increase in the activities of antioxidant enzymes, except for catalase. In addition, a dramatic decrease was observed in K and Ca contents in response to Cd treatments. Overall, our findings suggest that even short-term exposure to Cd can impair key physiological processes influencing growth, oxidative homeostasis, and genomic stability in wheat.