Impact of cadmium stress on growth and physiological responses of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.)

Pollution of the environment by toxic metals creates stress conditions that generally negatively affect plant growth and development. Cadmium is a highly toxic metal that enters the environment mainly through industrial activities and affects crops and other agricultural plants. In the current investigation, the influence of different concentrations of CdCl2 on Cd uptake, growth parameters, and antioxidant responses of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. were investigated. Results showed that H2O2 and malondialdehyde contents were increased by Cd treatments compared to the control plants. Cd stress differently altered the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and polyphenol oxidase. The content of antioxidant compounds such as phenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, soluble proteins, and proline was also increased by the Cd treatment. In addition, our results demonstrated the decrease in seed germination percentage, growth parameters, and chlorophyll and carotenoid contents that may be considered circumstantial evidence for the toxicity of cadmium.