Effect of different priming treatments on nutrient element composition and some physiological parameters in maize (Zea mays L.) under cadmium stress

In this study, effects of seed priming treatments on cadmium (Cd) toxicity in maize plants were investigated under greenhouse conditions. Maize seeds were subjected to priming treatments with salicylic acid (50 mg/L), calcium chloride (2.2%) and distilled water before sowing. Seeds with and without priming treatments were grown under 0, 5, 10, 20 mg kg-1 Cd applications. In terms of the average of priming treatments, it was found that shoot and root dry weights, plant height and stem diameter, leaf relative water content, total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll a/b ratio and carotenoid concentrations decreased and Cd concentration, Cd content and membrane permeability increased with increasing Cd doses. It was determined that shoot nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) concentrations decreased, whereas potassium (K) and calcium (Ca) concentrations and N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu contents increased with increasing cadmium doses. In terms of the average of cadmium treatments, it was found that plant height and stem diameter values were high in distilled water treatments; root dry matter production, Ca concentration and Ca and Mg contents were placed into the same statistical group in distilled water, CaCl2 and salicylic acid priming treatments. In the remaining parameters, CaCl2 priming treatment became more prominent. Present findings revealed that in maize cultivation under Cd toxicity, seed priming with CaCl2 was more effective in terms of growth parameters and nutrient element contents than distilled water and salicylic acid treatments and such a positive effect of CaCl2 could be used to alleviate Cd stress-induced damages on maize plants.