Electronic Journal of Biology

Antioxidant Enzymes Functions of Vetiveria zizianoides During the Absorption of Cadmium in Soil

Given the importance of cadmium in the ecosystem pollution, the remediation of soils contaminated with this heavy metal in particular through phytoremediation is necessary and inevitable. This research was aimed to investigate the toxicity effects of Cadmium Chloride on the function of antioxidant enzymes in Vetiveria zizianoides. The experiment was performed in plastic pots in the Baghou nursery, affiliated to the Department of Natural Resources. At the beginning of the experiment, irrigation was done two times a day and then, due to the moisture in the environment, irrigation was administered once daily. Treatments included 0, 20, 40 and 60 mg/l Cadmium Chloride, arranged in a randomized complete blocks design with four treatments and five replications. The root growth of the plant is high; therefore, after the initial growth of the plant, they were transferred to the field and irrigated with the treatments for two months. At the end of the period, samples were taken and Cd content in root, stem and leaves and the activity of antioxidant enzymes were measured. According to the obtained results, with increasing concentration of Cadmium Chloride, a significant increase was observed for the enzyme activity of Catalase, Peroxidase, Superoxide dismutase, Glutathione reductase, Polyphenol oxidase, Ascorbate peroxidase and Guaiacol peroxidase. In addition, Cd absorption and accumulation was higher in roots as compared to the shoots. The results clearly showed the high capability of Vetiver for the remediation of soils contaminated with Cd. Thus, this plant could be considered as one of the suitable candidates for cultivation in industrial areas.

Author(s):

Azhir Khalil Aria, Hossein Abbaspour, Sekineh Saeidi Sar, Mohsen Dehghani Ghanatghestani

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