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The effects of cadmium on the AsA-GSH cycle and antioxidant compounds in different cultivars of perennial ryegrass

Author

Listed:
  • Junlong Wang

    (Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, P.R. China)

  • Li Cao

    (Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, P.R. China
    Kunming Geological Exploration Institute of China Metallurgical Geology Bureau, Kunming, P.R. China)

  • Jinhuan Yi

    (Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, P.R. China)

  • Kai Zhou

    (Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, P.R. China)

  • Guilian Shan

    (Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, P.R. China)

  • Na Jiang

    (Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, P.R. China)

Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) is a common heavy metal contaminant in agricultural soils; its high bioaccumulation potential and toxicity mean it enters the human body via the food chain, posing a health risk. Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) is renowned for its high tolerance to heavy metal toxicity and is frequently used in phytoremediation. This study examined growth morphology, activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and glutathione reductase (GR), as well as non-enzymatic antioxidant contents in two perennial ryegrass cultivars: WNS (Venus, low Cd accumulation) and YY (Excellent, high Cd accumulation), under Cd treatments of 0, 3, 6, and 12 mg/kg Cd2+. Under Cd stress, WNS exhibited significantly higher plant height, leaf length, tiller number, GPX activity, and glutathione (GSH) content compared with YY. At 12 mg/kg Cd, GR activity in WNS was also significantly higher than in YY (P < 0.05). In contrast, at each Cd level, YY showed significantly higher leaf Cd accumulation, APX and DHAR activities, and ascorbic acid (AsA) content than WNS (P < 0.05), accompanied by elevated oxidised glutathione (GSSG) content. The comprehensive response index of YY under 3, 6, and 12 mg/kg Cd was 2.77, 2.91, and 2.94 times that of WNS, respectively. These findings suggest that WNS mitigates Cd toxicity and sustains growth homeostasis by maintaining higher GPX and GR activities and higher GSH content within the GSH-GSSG cycle. This study provides a theoretical basis for elucidating the differential Cd tolerance mechanisms among ryegrass cultivars with contrasting Cd accumulation capacities and offers insights to refine phytoremediation strategies in Cd-contaminated soils.

Suggested Citation

  • Junlong Wang & Li Cao & Jinhuan Yi & Kai Zhou & Guilian Shan & Na Jiang, 2026. "The effects of cadmium on the AsA-GSH cycle and antioxidant compounds in different cultivars of perennial ryegrass," Plant, Soil and Environment, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 72(7), pages 427-437.
    • Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:72:y:2026:i:7:id:121-2026-pse
    DOI: 10.17221/121/2026-PSE
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Limin Wu & Qiumei Zhang & Ninghai Lu, 2024. "Poly-glutamic acid reinforces wheat cadmium tolerance by modulating ascorbic acid and glutathione metabolism," Plant, Soil and Environment, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 70(8), pages 483-491.
    2. Abeer Hamdy Elhakem, 2024. "Alleviating cadmium toxicity in maize plants: role of glycine betaine in enhancing growth, photosynthetic efficiency, water status, and antioxidant defense mechanism," Plant, Soil and Environment, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 70(10), pages 617-631.
    3. Sibel Boysan Canal & Mehmet Ali Bozkurt & Hilal Yílmaz, 2023. "Humic acid ameliorates phytoremediation, plant growth and antioxidative enzymes in forage turnip (Brassica rapa L.)," Plant, Soil and Environment, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 69(12), pages 567-576.
    4. Giuseppe Genchi & Maria Stefania Sinicropi & Graziantonio Lauria & Alessia Carocci & Alessia Catalano, 2020. "The Effects of Cadmium Toxicity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-24, May.
    5. Xingrong Bai & Lili Chen & Zhaojie Wang & T. Ryan Lock, 2024. "Physiological and metabolic responses of Lolium perenne L. roots to acid stress in cadmium-contaminated soil," Plant, Soil and Environment, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 70(6), pages 366-376.
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