Nitric Oxide- and Sulfur-Mediated Reversal of Cadmium-Inhibited Photosynthetic Performance Involves Hydrogen Sulfide and Regulation of Nitrogen, Sulfur, and Antioxidant Metabolism in Mustard

oleh: Iqbal R. Mir, Bilal A. Rather, Asim Masood, Nafees A. Khan

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2022-12-01

Deskripsi

This study aimed to test the role of hydrogen sulfide (H<sub>2</sub>S) in the responses regarding the nitric oxide- (NO) and sulfur (S)-mediated improvement in photosynthesis and growth under cadmium (Cd) stress in mustard (<i>Brassica juncea</i> L. cv. Giriraj), and integrate the mechanisms of S, nitrogen (N), and antioxidant metabolism. The plants grown with Cd (200 mg Cd kg<sup>−1</sup> soil) exhibited reduced assimilation of S and N and diminished photosynthetic performance, which was associated with higher Cd accumulation-induced excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. The application of 100 μM of sodium nitroprusside (SNP, a NO donor) together with a more prominent concentration of S resulted in increased photosynthetic S- and N-use efficiency, production of non-protein thiols and phytochelatins, efficiency of enzymatic (superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase), non-enzymatic antioxidants (ascorbate and glutathione) limiting Cd accumulation and, thus, reduced oxidative stress (superoxide radical, hydrogen peroxide, and thiobarbituric acid reactive species content). The benefit of NO together with S was manifested through a modulation in H<sub>2</sub>S production. The use of 100 μM of hypotaurine (HT; H<sub>2</sub>S scavenger) or 100 μM of cPTIO (2-4-carboxyphenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide) in plants treated with NO plus S reversed the action of NO plus S, with a higher reduction in photosynthesis and growth with the use of HT, suggesting that H<sub>2</sub>S plays a significant role in the NO- and S-mediated alleviation of Cd stress. The interplay of NO and ES with H<sub>2</sub>S may be used in augmenting the photosynthesis and growth of Cd-grown mustard plants.