Coordinate role of Salicylic acid and Sulfur in improving growth and photosynthesis in Brassica napus under Arsenic stress

Abstract

The contamination of agricultural soils with Arsenic (As) is a significant environmental stress that restricts plant growth, metabolism, and productivity worldwide. The present study examined the role of elemental sulfur (S0) and salicylic acid in protecting Brassica napus plants from Arsenic (As) toxicity. Arsenic (100, and 200 mg As kgand#8722;1 soil) in soil caused detrimental effects on five Brassica napus cultivars (Neelam, Teri-Uttam Jawahar, Him Sarson, GSC-101, and NUDB 26 11). The As toxicity inhibited the growth and photosynthesis indices in all cultivars with more deterioration effects in NUDB 26 11. Plant absorption and uptake of As caused the generation of oxidative injury by accumulating the reactive oxygen species (ROS), which simultaneously decreased the plant defense capability and ultimately the photosynthesis. Application of sulfur (S0, 100 or 200 mg S kgand#8722;1 soil) and SA (250 and 500 mM) alleviated the negative impacts and toxicity of As on the photosynthesis and growth matrices of plants S+SA also boosted the antioxidant potential of plants and toned-down lipid peroxidation and ROS aggravation such as superoxide anion (O2 and#8722;) and H2O2, in As affected plants. In general, S0 at 200 mg kgand#8722; 1 soil and SA 500Mm more perceptibly increased the functionality of antioxidant enzymes, and non-enzymatic antioxidants, metal chelators and non-protein thiols. . The current study shows that S and SA as a source might be used to promote the growth of B. napus plants in polluted agricultural soils.