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Background and Aims <p>Cadmium (Cd) contamination in agricultural soils poses serious threats to plant health and food safety. This study investigates the impact of intercropping <i>Zea mays</i> L. with a Cd accumulator, <i>Silene sendtneri</i>, on growth, mineral dynamics, and Cd uptake under Cd stress.</p> Methods <p>A pot experiment was conducted using monoculture and intercropping systems under Cd stress (1 mM Cd(NO₃)₂). Biomass production, photosynthetic pigment, proline concentrations in plants and mineral concentrations in soil and plants were assessed. Cadmium translocation and bioaccumulation factors were calculated to evaluate metal uptake and partitioning.</p> Results <p>Under Cd stress, intercropping increased <i>Z. mays</i> shoot biomass by 27% and chlorophyll a content by 35% compared to monoculture. Intercropped soil exhibited a 30.7% lower Cd concentration (68.12 mg kg<sup>−1</sup>) than monoculture (98.32 mg kg<sup>−1</sup>). Cadmium concentration in <i>Z. mays</i> shoots was reduced by 41% in intercropping (133.97 mg kg<sup>−1</sup>) relative to monoculture (228.01 mg kg<sup>−1</sup>). Uptake of essential micronutrients such as copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) also improved under intercropping, while manganese (Mn) and nickel (Ni) translocation was moderated. <i>Silene sendtneri</i> effectively lowered Cd bioavailability, altering mineral uptake, dynamics and reducing Cd translocation in <i>Z. mays</i>. Interestingly, proline was also affected with intercropping, where plants that were intercropped showed higher proline biosynthesis.</p> Conclusion <p>Intercropping with <i>S. sendtneri</i> mitigates Cd toxicity in <i>Z. mays</i> by enhancing physiological performance and reducing Cd bioaccumulation in edible tissues. This strategy provides a promising phytoremediation approach that maintains crop productivity and supports sustainable management of contaminated soils.</p>

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Evaluating the impact of intercropping Silene sendtneri, a Cd hyperaccumulating plant, on mineral and growth dynamics in Zea mays under Cd stress

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年9月16日

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  • Mirel Subašić,
  • Erna Karalija,
  • Alisa Selović

摘要

Background and Aims

Cadmium (Cd) contamination in agricultural soils poses serious threats to plant health and food safety. This study investigates the impact of intercropping Zea mays L. with a Cd accumulator, Silene sendtneri, on growth, mineral dynamics, and Cd uptake under Cd stress.

Methods

A pot experiment was conducted using monoculture and intercropping systems under Cd stress (1 mM Cd(NO₃)₂). Biomass production, photosynthetic pigment, proline concentrations in plants and mineral concentrations in soil and plants were assessed. Cadmium translocation and bioaccumulation factors were calculated to evaluate metal uptake and partitioning.

Results

Under Cd stress, intercropping increased Z. mays shoot biomass by 27% and chlorophyll a content by 35% compared to monoculture. Intercropped soil exhibited a 30.7% lower Cd concentration (68.12 mg kg−1) than monoculture (98.32 mg kg−1). Cadmium concentration in Z. mays shoots was reduced by 41% in intercropping (133.97 mg kg−1) relative to monoculture (228.01 mg kg−1). Uptake of essential micronutrients such as copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) also improved under intercropping, while manganese (Mn) and nickel (Ni) translocation was moderated. Silene sendtneri effectively lowered Cd bioavailability, altering mineral uptake, dynamics and reducing Cd translocation in Z. mays. Interestingly, proline was also affected with intercropping, where plants that were intercropped showed higher proline biosynthesis.

Conclusion

Intercropping with S. sendtneri mitigates Cd toxicity in Z. mays by enhancing physiological performance and reducing Cd bioaccumulation in edible tissues. This strategy provides a promising phytoremediation approach that maintains crop productivity and supports sustainable management of contaminated soils.