Changes in Physiological Characteristics of Rye Treated with 2,4-Epibrassinolide Under Combined Stress of Cd and Freeze-Thaw
摘要
As global warming continues to escalate, the frequency of freeze-thaw (FT) events has increased. In the early spring, plant seedlings are exposed to cadmium (Cd) contamination and the dual hazard of FT stress. Although 2,4-epibrassinolide (EBL) has demonstrated potential in improving plant resistance to abiotic stresses in recent years, its impact on combined FT and Cd stress remains uncertain. Not only did this study investigate the physiological effects of FT, Cd, and their combined stress on rye (Secale cereale L.) seedlings, but it also examined the absorption of Cd by seedlings under EBL treatment. The research we have conducted indicates that all stress interventions resulted in a substantial decrease in plant growth, with the combined stress being more detrimental to seedlings than the individual stresses. The application of EBL under single FT and Cd stress reduced oxidative stress, enhanced the levels of various antioxidant enzymes and GSH, and decreased Cd accumulation in the seedling roots. However, under combined stress, EBL led to reduced antioxidant enzyme activity and promoted Cd absorption by the seedlings. This finding has significant practical value for agricultural production, especially in crop cultivation areas affected by extreme climate and polluted environments.