Effect of exogenous γ-aminobutyric acid on physiological property, antioxidant activity, and cadmium uptake of quinoa seedlings under cadmium stress

Abstract

Abstract Increasing cadmium (Cd) pollution has negative effects on quinoa growth and production. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) confers plants with stress resistance to heavy metals; however, the mechanism remains unclear. We explored the effects of exogenous GABA on the physiological characteristics, antioxidant capacity, and Cd accumulation of quinoa seedlings under Cd stress using hydroponic experiments. Partial least-squares regression was used to identify key physical and chemical indices of seedlings affecting Cd accumulation. Compared with those of the CK group, exposure to 10 and 25 µmol·L−1 Cd significantly reduced the photosynthetic pigment contents, photosynthesis, and biomass accumulation of quinoa seedlings; resulted in shorter and thicker roots; decreased the length of the lateral roots; decreased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxide (POD); and increased H2O2 and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents. Exogenous GABA reduced the Cd content in the stem/leaves and roots of quinoa seedlings under Cd stress by 13.22–21.63% and 7.92–28.32%, decreased Cd accumulation by 5.37–6.71% and 1.91–4.09%, decreased the H2O2 content by 38.21–47.46% and 45.81–55.73%, and decreased the MDA content by 37.65–48.12% and 29.87–32.51%, respectively. GABA addition increased the SOD and POD activities in the roots by 2.78–5.61% and 13.81–18.33%, respectively, under Cd stress. Thus, exogenous GABA can reduce the content and accumulation of Cd in quinoa seedlings by improving the photosynthetic characteristics and antioxidant enzyme activity and reducing the degree of lipid peroxidation in the cell membrane to alleviate the toxic effect of Cd stress on seedling growth.