Cold plasma treatment alleviates cadmium stress by optimizing growth, yield, and antioxidant defense mechanisms in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Aslam R., Elahi M., Anas M., Tahir N., Fayad E., Ijaz F., ...Daha Fazla

International Journal of Phytoremediation, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1080/15226514.2026.2679051
  • Dergi Adı: International Journal of Phytoremediation
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Natural Science Collection (ProQuest), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Engineering Source (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest), Materials Science & Engineering Collection (ProQuest), Technology Collection (ProQuest)
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Cold plasma technology (CP), cadmium stress alleviation, wheat growth optimization, antioxidant defense mechanisms, sustainable agriculture
  • Atatürk Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Cadmium (Cd) contamination limits plant growth and productivity. This study evaluated whether cold plasma (CP) seed treatment mitigates Cd stress in two wheat cultivars, Borlaug-16 (B-16) and Zincol-16 (Z-16). Seeds were exposed to CP for 1–4 min and grown under 50 ppm Cd. CP improved germination, with B-16 showing a 40% increase in germination percentage under CP1 and Z-16 a 90.47% increase in germination index under CdCP1 compared to the control. Growth and yield traits also improved; in B-16, grain yield increased by 45.19% (CdCP1) and biomass by 32.29% (CP1), while Z-16 showed an 83.07% increase in biomass (CP4) and a 66.94% increase in total chlorophyll (CdCP4). Oxidative damage declined, with malondialdehyde reduced by 7.79% (B-16, CP4) and 9.09% (Z-16, CP2), accompanied by increased activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase. Leaf Cd concentrations decreased by 38.73% in B-16 and 71.79% in Z-16 under CdCP1 relative to Cd-stressed plants. Overall, CP treatment was associated with reduced oxidative stress and improved physiological performance. These results indicate that CP is a practical approach to improve wheat performance under Cd-contaminated conditions.