Abstract

We conducted a study to evaluate the interactive effect of NO and H2 S on the cadmium (Cd) tolerance of wheat. Cadmium stress considerably reduced total dry weight, chlorophyll a and b content and ratio of Fv/Fm by 36.7, 48.6, 26.7 and 19.5%, respectively, but significantly enhanced the levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) and malondialdehyde (MDA), endogenous H2 S and NO, and the activities of antioxidant enzymes. Exogenously applied sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), donors of NO and H2 S, respectively, enhanced total plant dry matter by 47.8 and 39.1%, chlorophyll a by 92.3 and 61.5%, chlorophyll b content by 29.1 and 27.2%, Fv/Fm ratio by 19.7 and 15.2%, respectively, and the activities of antioxidant enzymes, but lowered oxidative stress and proline content in Cd-stressed wheat plants. NaHS and SNP also considerably limited both the uptake and translocation of Cd, thereby improving the levels of some key mineral nutrients in the plants. Enhanced levels of NO and H2 S induced by NaHS were reversed by hypotuarine application, but they were substantially reduced almost to 50% by cPTIO (a NO scavenger) application. Hypotuarine was not effective, but cPTIO was highly effective in reducing the levels of NO and H2 S produced by SNP in the roots of Cd-stressed plants. The results showed that interactive effect of NO and H2 S can considerably improve plant resistance against Cd toxicity by reducing oxidative stress and uptake of Cd in plants as well as by enhancing antioxidative defence system and uptake of some essential mineral nutrients.