Enzyme activity and phytoremediation using Plantago major to protect tomato plants from the contamination of cypermethrin pesticide

Abstract

Abstract Phytoremediation is an environmentally friendly therapy to minimize soil pollution. Cypermethrin (CYP) is one of the most frequently used pyrethroid insecticides against a variety of pests. We aimed at evaluating the potential of using economic plant like tomato as a control alone and together with Plantago major (PM) for the uptake CYP residue from contaminated soil. Also, investigating the antioxidant enzymes such as (SOD, POD and CAT) in roots of PM and tomato. For the first time, we documented the role of PM as a phytoremediator to protect tomato plants from the contamination of CYP pesticide. In a pot experiment, we have cultivated PM and tomato in a soil polluted with CYP (10 µg g− 1). Data showed that PM and tomato accumulated a significant amounts of CYP in their tissues. However, PM is better than tomato in uptake CYP from soil. The longest half-life value (t1/2) of CYP was in PM + tomato together treatment (12.7 days), and the shortest was in the soil with tomato alone (6.81 days). Moreover, the activity of SOD, POD and CAT in treated tomato and PM roots significantly (p > 0.05) exceeded control plants after 8 days from exposure. In this study, a good strategy was recommended to uptake CYP residue from soil by PM and protect tomato plants from CYP residue and also safe the human and non-target organisms.