Archive | 2021
Study of Oxidative Stress Indices, Morphological Response, Mineral Absorption in Chickpea (Cicer Arietinum L.) Under Cadmium Stress and Bioinformatics of HMA Poteins
Abstract
\n Cicer arietinum L. (chickpeas) is a widely consumed legume that is impacted by heavy metal contaminants such as cadmium. Cadmium is a chemical hazard and can severely impact the morphological and physiological features of the plant. C. arietinum L. were exposed to cadmium and its impact on plant growth and antioxidant enzyme activity evaluated. Bioinformatic studies were performed to further understand the mechanism by which the plant combats heavy metal stress. Observed morphological changes included stunted growth, poor root development and yellowing of the plant. The study also revealed that increased cadmium resulted in a decline in mineral transportation to aerial regions of the plant. Antioxidative enzyme activity (peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase) increased in the leaves suggesting that these enzymes play an integral role in combatting heavy metal contamination. These research showed chickpea has a relatively high adsorption capacity for cadmium in aerial tissues. Special precautions should therefore be taken in the cultivation of chickpea. Increasing the levels of cadmium in the medium resulted in a decline in zinc, copper and manganese in the aerial parts of chickpea seedlings. There appears to be a competitive mechanism for mineral uptake in plants. HMAs play an important role in the transport of metals in plants and provide resistance to the uptake and transportation of metals. In silico analysis led to the identification of 13 Heavy Metal ATPases (HMAs). These proteins contain 130 to 1032 amino acids with 3 to 18 exons and assist in heavy metal detoxification.