Protective role of exogenous SNP against heavy metal toxicity in Brassica oleracea (var. Capitata)

Abstract The present study is focused on the importance of SNP, a NO donor, as Cd stress modulator on seedlings of cabbage. The exogenously applied Cd induced stress in cabbage seedlings to explore the protective role of SNP. 21-day-old seedlings were grown in Hoagland solution and Cd at 0.5 and 0.7 mM concentration with and without SNP. The biophysical and biochemical parameters were analyzed. Cd exhibited inhibitory effects on growth and metabolism of cabbage seedlings. SNP enhanced growth viz. root and shoot length and fresh and dry weight of the seedlings. The pigment content, sugar, and protein contents decreased in seedlings treated with Cd while increased in SNP with and without Cd. The graded concentration of Cd significantly enhanced the antioxidative enzyme viz. superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POX) to avoid the oxidative damage caused by heavy metal stress. SNP reduced the oxidative damage and provided protection against heavy metal toxicity.