Antioxidative systems, metal ion homeostasis and cadmium distribution in Iris lactea exposed to cadmium stress

- Iris lactea could be suitable for phytostabilization of Cd contaminated soils.
- Enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity alleviated Cd-induced oxidative damage.
- Limiting Cd translocation to shoots contributed to maintain metal ion homeostasis.

Iris lactea is a perennial halophyte and is tolerant to Cd. However, the mechanisms underlying this Cd tolerance are still poorly understood. In this study, morphological, physiological and biochemical responses of I. lactea to a 21 d exposure to different concentrations of Cd (0-150 mg L−1) were investigated. I. lactea plants showed no toxicity symptoms except for a small reduction in growth at 100 and 150 mg L−1 Cd, along with the enhancement of H2O2 and MDA content in comparison to the control. The activities of SOD and POD were significantly enhanced and Ca accumulated with increasing Cd concentrations. Moreover, most Cd was retained in roots and only a small amount was transported to the shoots with increasing external Cd concentrations. Cd content had a negative correlation with content of K, Fe, Zn, and Mn and a positive correlation with Mg content in shoots and roots, which had no influence on these contents of mineral nutrients in shoots and chlorophyll levels with the increase of Cd concentrations. The Cd translocation factors were always less than 1 and bioaccumulation factors ranged from 3.43 to 15.6 across all treatments, suggesting that I. lactea might be effectively used in phytostabilization of Cd contaminated soils. Overall, the findings suggest that I. lactea could reduce photoinhibition and oxidative damage and maintain metal ion homeostasis in plant tissue by limiting translocation of Cd from roots to shoots and enhancing induction of antioxidant enzyme activities, thereby improving its Cd tolerance.