A research team led by Prof. XU Hailiang from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has demonstrated an effective approach to mitigate cadmium (Cd) stress in mung bean cultivars using salicylic acid (SA) priming. This study was recently published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials.

Cadmium is a toxic environmental pollutant that poses a serious threat to plant growth, physiology, and overall productivity. In this study, the researchers subjected three mung bean cultivars—NM-2006, NM-92, and Mash-88—to Cd stress, using SA to evaluate its protective effects. They monitored the physiological and biochemical responses of the plants to understand how SA mitigated damage caused by Cd exposure.

Their findings showed that exposure to Cd significantly affected critical growth parameters, including chlorophyll content, root and shoot lengths, and led to cellular damage, evidenced by increased levels of oxidative stress markers such as hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde.

Among the cultivars tested, NM-2006 exhibited the highest sensitivity to Cd stress, while NM-92 showed the most favorable response to SA treatment. In contrast, Mash-88 demonstrated the greatest overall resilience, highlighting its potential as a Cd-tolerant cultivar.

Through extensive biochemical analysis, the researchers found that SA priming effectively reduced the harmful effects of Cd by enhancing the antioxidant defense mechanisms in the mung bean cultivars. SA application boosted the activity of antioxidant enzymes, modulated phytohormonal responses, and decreased oxidative stress, thereby improving the overall health of the plants.

"We find compelling evidence that SA priming serves as an effective and environmentally sustainable approach to mitigate heavy metal toxicity in crops," said Abdul Waheed, first author of this study.

This study has significant implications for improving agricultural productivity in Cd-contaminated regions and enhancing crop tolerance to environmental stress.