Efficacy of malic and tartaric acid in mitigation of cadmium stress in Spinacia oleracea; Modulations in Physiological and Biochemical Attributes

Abstract

The increasing level of cadmium (Cd) contamination in soil due to the actions of humans is a significant problem. This problem not only harms the natural environment, but it also causes major harm to human health via the food chain. The use of chelating agent is useful strategy to improve the heavy metal. This research aimed to mitigate Cd stress by application of organic acids i.e., malic (MA) and tartaric acid (TA). We evaluated the physiological and biochemical features, growth traits of Spinacia oleracea L. under Cd stress. Soil was treated with 100 µM Cd, as well as two dosages of foliar sprays (100 and 150 µM) of MA and TA were applied. The results of this study revealed that exogenously applied 100 µM Cd significantly reduced root and shoot length as well as fresh and dry weight, leaf number, leaf area, photosynthetic pigments, gas exchange parameters, Soil plant analysis development (SPAD), and increase the antioxidants of S. oleracea. Malic and tartaric acids (100 and 150µM) both at 2 level may lower Cd concentrations while also enhancing nutrient uptake and accumulation in treated plants exposed to the Cd environment. Malic and Tartaric acid both overcome the toxicity caused by Cd stress in S. oleracea. When these organic chelates used they have significant effect on all morphological, physiological and biochemical parameters. These finding also demonstrates that TA and MA, when used together, have the ability to reduce Cd-induced phytotoxicity by reducing Cd uptake and enhancing plant development parameters.