Effects of exogenous glutathione on antioxidant system of cucumber seedlings under cadmium stress

Abstract

With the development of social economy, environmental protection has become a hot topic. Excessive emissions of agricultural chemicals increase the accumulation of the heavy metal cadmium (Cd) in soil. When plants are stressed by high concentrations of heavy metals, their antioxidant capacity and detoxification capacity will decrease, which will lead to damage the cell mechanism of plants. Glutathione (GSH), as an important water-soluble antioxidant in the organism, can enhance plant resistance in stress. This study used cucumber seedlings as test material, using hydroponics, to research the effects of exogenous GSH on antioxidant system under Cd stress. The study showed that exogenous GSH could enhance the antioxidant capacity of cucumber leaves under Cd stress and increase the activity of SOD and POD, and reduce the content of MDA. However, the contents of reduced GSH and GSSH were reduced when exogenous glutathione was applied under Cd stress.