Search Results (200)

Controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) improves fertilizer-use efficiency through sustained nutrient release, but its rate-dependent effects on the growth and physiology of Paeonia delavayi seedlings remain unclear. In this study, germinated seeds of P. delavayi with radicles 3–4 cm in length were grown under container nursery conditions with four CRF application rates: control (CK, 0 kg·m⁻³), treatment 1 (T1, 0.6 kg·m⁻³), treatment 2 (T2, 1.2 kg·m⁻³), and treatment 3 (T3, 2.4 kg·m⁻³). Morphological traits, root characteristics, biomass accumulation, physiological parameters, and chlorophyll fluorescence were evaluated, and Pearson correlation and fuzzy membership analyses were used to compare overall treatment performance within the tested range. CRF significantly promoted seedling height, leaf number, petiole length, and biomass accumulation, although the promoting effect did not increase continuously with fertilizer rate. By June, seedling height in T2 was 160% greater than that in CK, while aboveground biomass increased by 552% and 574% in T2 and T3, respectively. Root morphological traits were not significantly affected, suggesting that CRF primarily promoted aboveground development and biomass production. Medium and high CRF rates increased leaf superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity by 42% and 103%, respectively, and peroxidase (POD) activity by 163% and 250%, respectively. Aboveground starch content was 45% higher in T2 than in CK. In contrast, photosynthetic pigment contents and the chlorophyll a/b ratio were not significantly affected by CRF. Chlorophyll fluorescence analysis showed that Fv/Fm remained stable among CRF treatments (0.78–0.82) and was significantly higher than that in CK (0.65), whereas the actual quantum yield of PSII [Y(II)] did not differ significantly among treatments. Relative to CK, the quantum yield of non-photochemical quenching [Y(NPQ)] increased from 0.20 to 0.40 in T2, while the quantum yield of non-regulated energy dissipation in PSII [Y(NO)] decreased from 0.37 to 0.24–0.22 in T2–T3. Pearson correlation and fuzzy membership analyses ranked the treatments as T2 > T3 > T1 > CK, indicating that T2 performed most favorably within the tested range, although its advantage over T3 was small. Overall, an appropriate CRF rate promoted P. delavayi seedling growth and was associated with changes in biomass accumulation, antioxidant enzyme activity, carbon assimilate storage, and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. Full article

Hulless barley (Hordeum vulgare L. var. nudum) on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau is consistently exposed to intense solar irradiance, yet whether and how reproductive spikes and flag leaves partition photoprotection remains unclear. Here, we compared a pigmented black landrace (Cai Peng Zi, CPZ) with a white cultivar (Zang Qing 3000, ZQ3000) across early, middle, and late spike coloration stages under field conditions. By integrating measurements of anthocyanin and chlorophyll contents, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and rapid light-response curves, we dissected organ-specific strategies in photochemistry and energy dissipation in spikes and flag leaves. The results showed that anthocyanin accumulation in CPZ spikes increased significantly during spike coloration, while chlorophyll a and the chlorophyll a/b ratio declined, indicating a shift from light harvesting to photoprotection in reproductive tissues. This pigment transition coincided with reduced PSII performance (declines in QY_max, qP, and qL) but stable non-photochemical quenching (NPQ and qN), pointing to reduced photochemical capacity with relatively stable energy dissipation in the spike. In contrast, CPZ leaves maintained higher QY_max than ZQ3000 but exhibited a pronounced decline in NPQ and qN at late stages, reflecting CPZ’s attenuated regulated energy dissipation capacity. Rapid light-response analysis further supported differences between organs and cultivars. Under high PAR, ZQ3000 spikes exhibited steeper declines in Y(II) and stronger downregulation of ETR(II), whereas CPZ spikes showed more moderate decreases; in leaves, ZQ3000 maintained consistently lower Y(NO) and higher Y(NPQ), indicating greater reliance on regulated energy dissipation. Collectively, our results reveal how pigment-mediated screening in reproductive structures and dynamic regulation of energy dissipation in leaves are coordinated to optimize light-use efficiency in high-altitude environments, providing physiological insights for breeding resilient hulless barley varieties. Full article

Parameters of reflected light, measured in narrow or broad spectral bands, are widely analyzed for remote and proximal sensing of plant responses to stressors. Specifically, parameters of reflectance in red (R), green (G), and blue (B) spectral bands measured using simple color images can be sensitive to characteristics of plants. The conventional view is that RGB reflectance primarily reveals long-term changes in plants (days, weeks, etc.). In this study, we investigated light-induced changes in RGB reflectance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and pea (Pisum sativum L.) leaves. Illumination increased this reflectance for about 10 min in wheat and about 15–20 min in pea; these changes relaxed after light intensity was decreased. The changes in RGB reflectance were strongly related to the effective quantum yield of photosystem II and non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence under high light intensity; these relations were absent under low light intensity. We hypothesized that changes in both RGB reflectance and photosynthetic parameters were related to the light-induced changes in chloroplast localization. A simple mathematical model of optical properties and photosynthesis in leaves was developed; results of the model-based analysis supported the proposed hypothesis. Experimental analysis of the dynamics of light transmittance additionally supported this hypothesis. Our results thus show that RGB imaging can be sensitive to fast changes in plants. Full article

The damage caused by herbivores is generally measured as the amount of leaf tissue consumed, without accounting for the fate of the leftover tissue. As a result, the plant defense mechanisms that promote resistance to herbivore feeding by photosynthetically acclimating the rest of the plant to the feeding spot leaf area have not been well exploited. Plant-insect interactions are now becoming better defined with the development of visualization methods that permit spatial whole-leaf assessment of photosynthetic efficiency after herbivore attack. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the spatial heterogeneity of photosystem II (PSII) function at the whole-leaf level before and after herbivory by the Colorado potato beetles. Twenty minutes after Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) feeding, the maximum efficiency of PSII photochemistry (Fv/Fm) decreased significantly, suggesting photoinhibition due to reduced efficiency of the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC). The decreased quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (Φ_PSII) after feeding, at the neighboring area of the feeding spot and at the rest of the leaf area, was attributed to the reduced efficiency of the open PSII reaction centers (Fv′/Fm′), since there was no change in the fraction of open PSII reaction centers (qp). Nevertheless, plant defense elicitation was activated by the photoprotective mechanism of non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) that reduced the singlet oxygen (¹O₂) formation in potato plants in the neighboring area of the feeding spot and at the rest of the leaf area. In addition, the increased production of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) triggered by this increase suggests that it acted as a signaling molecule in the biotic stress defense response. Full article

This study investigated the impact of the pretreatment of pea plants (Pisum sativum L. Ran 1) for five days by three times higher light intensity (360 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) than the intensity for their cultivation (120 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) on the photosynthetic apparatus’s ability to withstand moderately high temperatures. Photosystem II (PSII) performance was assessed by pulse amplitude-modulated (PAM) fluorometry—evaluation of F_v/F_m, Chl fluorescence decrease ratio—R_Fd, excitation pressure on PSII (1 − qP), non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) analysis, and PsbA (D1) abundance. The redox state of P700 was used to examine photosystem I (PSI), and the redox kinetics of P700 was evaluated as an estimate of cyclic electron flow (CEF). The energy distribution and interaction between the two photosystems were assessed by 77 K chlorophyll fluorescence. Diphenylhexatriene (DPH) fluorescence polarization and PsbS accumulation were followed to estimate alterations in thylakoid membrane characteristics. Our data show that pea plants pretreated with a higher level of light intensity showed higher resistance to temperature increase, maintaining R_Fd values similar to control plants, and the effect of high temperature on PSII excitation pressure (1 − qP) was mitigated. A significant difference between the two groups of plants was observed in terms of quantum yields in both types of non-photochemical quenching, with light pretreated plants showing no change in the energy partitioning ratio while the exposure of non-high light pretreated plants to elevated temperatures led to a more significant increase in quantum yield of constitutive non-photochemical quenching. When plants were exposed to higher temperature, the accumulation of PsbS, induced by high light treatment, was accelerated, and stabilization of thylakoid membrane also occurred. A complex mechanism behind the enhanced tolerance to higher temperature includes the reorganization of membrane pigment–protein complexes, which is regulated by the buildup of PsbS and the accompanying redistribution of excitation energy. Full article

Coloured and variegated leaves are common in shade-tolerant ornamentals. However, it remains unclear whether their photosynthetic performance is determined mainly by pigment abundance or by the organisation of chloroplasts and thylakoids. We tested this in three Epipremnum aureum phenotypes (‘Neon’, ‘Golden’ and ‘Jade’) that share a genetic background but contrast in leaf colour, chloroplast density and thylakoid membrane abundance. Plants were grown in a greenhouse and assessed by hyperspectral and thermal imaging, infrared gas exchange analysis, chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements, and structural, ultrastructural and biochemical analyses. Traits were integrated by principal component analysis, with the quantum yield of CO₂ assimilation per absorbed photon (αCO_2,abs) as the response variable. ‘Neon’ leaves had high specific leaf area and approximately 55% lower maximum Rubisco carboxylation (Vc_MAX) and electron transport capacity (J_MAX) than ‘Jade’, as well as reduced chloroplast and thylakoid abundance and warmer canopies, despite carotenoid enrichment. JIP-test parameters and fluorescence light–response curves showed high absorption and dissipation per PSII reaction centre, elevated excitation pressure, modest non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), low αCO_2,abs, small carbohydrate pools and low intrinsic water-use efficiency. ‘Jade’ leaves developed thick mesophyll with dense chloroplast populations, extensive thylakoid networks, highest NPQ, cool canopies and large carbohydrate reserves, whereas ‘Golden’ leaves combined thin laminae and intermediate chloroplast–thylakoid organisation with early light saturation of CO₂ assimilation and the highest intrinsic water-use efficiency. Principal component analysis revealed a structural axis of chloroplast and thylakoid organisation that better predicted αCO_2,abs, net carbon gain and canopy temperature than pigment abundance. In variegated E. aureum, ‘photon economy’ is therefore governed primarily by chloroplast and thylakoid membrane organisation and abundance rather than by carotenoid accumulation. Full article

Light availability drives Stevia rebaudiana productivity, yet how incident radiation interacts with genotype and site under tropical field conditions remains unclear. We evaluated four genotypes (L020, L102, L082, and ‘Morita II’) across three Caribbean locations in Colombia under two contrasting light levels (600 vs. 1800 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹) using a split-plot randomised complete block design with four replicates. Incident photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) was logged and, at 85 days after transplanting (DAT), net CO₂ assimilation, stomatal conductance, transpiration, and intercellular CO₂ concentration were measured alongside light-adapted chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, including the effective quantum yield of photosystem II (ΦPSII), the maximum efficiency of PSII in the light (Fv′/Fm′), photochemical quenching (qP), and electron transport rate (ETR); biomass and leaf yield were quantified at harvest. Data were analysed using factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) and complementary multivariate approaches, including Pearson correlation analysis and principal component analysis (PCA). Radiation responses were strongly site-dependent: under 1800 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹, net CO₂ assimilation increased by 90.2% at El Carmen de Bolívar and 21.5% at Polonuevo but decreased by 36.4% at Montería. Leaf yield was highest in El Carmen de Bolívar (1951.46 ± 182.03 kg ha⁻¹), followed by Montería (1510.94 ± 173.75 kg ha⁻¹) and Polonuevo (576.31 ± 42.36 kg ha⁻¹). Genotype rankings shifted with environment and radiation, with L102 reaching 3256.25 ± 126.39 kg ha⁻¹ under direct radiation in El Carmen de Bolívar and ‘Morita II’ showing strong responsiveness in Montería. These results demonstrate that photosynthetic plasticity and leaf yield in S. rebaudiana depend on genotype × radiation × environment interactions, supporting location-tailored radiation management combined with targeted genotype deployment. Full article

Plants respond to ultraviolet B radiation (280–320 nm) with an integrated reaction that includes the reception of the acting stress factor, followed by the generation of reactive oxygen species and damage to macromolecules and membrane structures, as well as changes in cellular metabolism and the formation of protective systems. However, the involvement of key UV-B–related signalling components such as HY5, SPA1 and BIC1 or BIC2 proteins in physiological, biochemical and molecular responses remains insufficiently understood. The effects of 8, 16 and 24 h of UV-B exposure (within an 8 h photoperiod over three days) on the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), chlorophyll fluorescence parameters Y(II) and F_v/F_m, reflecting the functional state of PSII, nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ), pigment contents (Chl(a+b), carotenoids, anthocyanins and UV-absorbing pigments (UAPs) and the expression of key light-induced genes in wild-type Arabidopsis thaliana and spa1, bic1,2 and hy5 mutants were studied. UV-B irradiation resulted in a gradual reduction in the Pn, Y(II), F_v/F_m values and Chl(a+b) but caused a marked increase in the anthocyanin and UAP contents and only minor changes in the carotenoid content. The hy5 mutant presented the lowest net photosynthetic rate (Pn), chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and chlorophyll and carotenoid contents under all the UV-B exposures. In addition, the accumulation of anthocyanins and UAPs during UV-B treatment was consistently the lowest in hy5. After any UV-B exposure, the highest accumulation of UAPs and anthocyanins was observed in the spa1 mutant, whereas the highest Pn values were detected after 24 h in bic1,2. One of the reasons for the reduced photosynthetic activity and antioxidant capacity in hy5 may be the lower expression levels of CHS and PAL in this variety than in the other genotypes. Our results indicate that HY5 is required to maintain antioxidant responses and photosynthetic performance under repeated daytime UV-B exposure (16.8 kJ m⁻² per day). In contrast, BIC1, BIC2, and SPA1 also contribute to UV-B tolerance, but through distinct regulatory mechanisms and to a lesser extent. Full article

Chloroplast development plays a crucial role in plant de-etiolation, a process in which plants switch from growth in darkness to light-driven development, known as photomorphogenesis. This study provides evidence that CIA2 (Chloroplast Import Apparatus 2) and CIL (CIA2-Like) contribute to chloroplast biogenesis, likely by affecting and regulating PSII activity and related gene expression. Although their precise molecular roles remain unclear, our findings support their possible involvement in chloroplast development. This is indicated by downregulation of foliar chlorophyll content, chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters, chloroplast size, and gene expression of PSII molecular markers in the cia2cil double mutant during de-etiolation. Chlorophyll a fluorescence and quantitative gene expression analysis during de-etiolation revealed a significant reduction in PSII maximal efficiency and non-photochemical quenching, as well as deregulated expression of genes such as LHCB2.1 and psbA. According to the immunoblotting and microscopy imaging results, there is an impaired function of PSII and a compromised ultrastructure of the chloroplast membranes in cia2cil plants. However, in CIA2p::CIA2_cia2cil and 35Sp::CIA2_cia2cil complementation lines, reversion of this phenotype was observed. These results suggest a supporting role for CIA2 and CIL in the plant de-etiolation process, expanding our understanding of chloroplast biogenesis regulation. Full article

Banana Fusarium wilt represents a considerable threat to the sustainable development of the global banana industry. Nonetheless, the regulatory mechanisms through which different nitrogen forms (nitrate, ammonium) and concentrations (low, normal) affect the growth and photosynthetic functions of banana seedlings following Foc TR4 infection are not yet fully elucidated. This study employed these nitrogen treatments to assess seedling growth indicators, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and light response curves both prior to and following Foc TR4 infection. The findings indicated that, before infection, ammonium nitrogen significantly enhanced root growth and increased leaf relative chlorophyll content (SPAD) and non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) values, whereas low-nitrogen conditions promoted biomass allocation to roots but inhibited maximum photochemical quantum yield of photosystem II (Fv/Fm). Post-infection, critical photosynthetic parameters such as SPAD value and Fv/Fm were significantly elevated in the nitrate nitrogen treatment compared to the ammonium nitrogen treatment, with the normal-nitrogen treatment yielding the most favorable results. Furthermore, Foc TR4 infection significantly reduced the leaf electron transport rate (ETR) across all treatments. In summary, nitrogen is integral to the modulation of seedling growth and stress resistance, primarily through its regulation of leaf photosynthetic apparatus efficiency, photoprotection mechanisms, and biomass allocation. These findings offer significant insights for formulating nitrogen management strategies aimed at the sustainable prevention and control of banana Fusarium wilt. Full article

Salinity has been recognized as one of the major environmental stresses that restrict the growth and quality of celery (Apium graveolens L.). Therefore, this study investigates the impact of different NaCl concentrations on celery growth and photosynthetic characteristics, as well as the potential regulatory role of exogenous trehalose application in mitigating the stress-induced effects. The results indicated that an increase in NaCl concentration from 50 to 200 mM markedly inhibited the growth of celery plants compared to that under control conditions. The application of different concentrations of trehalose mitigated the inhibitory effects of salt stress (100 mM NaCl) on celery growth and photosynthesis. Among the different trehalose treatments, T3 (10 mM trehalose) exhibited the most significant effects, increasing the aboveground biomass, belowground biomass, plant height, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and net photosynthetic rate compared to that of salt stress alone, respectively. Furthermore, trehalose treatments enhanced the various fluorescence parameters, including the maximum efficiency of PSII photochemistry (Fv/Fm), coefficient of photochemical quenching (qP), fluorescence intensity, and photosynthetic performance index (PIabs) under salt stress. Meanwhile, trehalose reduced intercellular carbon dioxide concentration, excess excitation energy (1-qP)/NPQ, heat dissipation per unit area (DIo/CSm), and energy dissipated per reaction center (DIo/RC). Additionally, the results of principal component analysis (PCA) and membership function comprehensive evaluation indicate that an appropriate concentration of trehalose positively alleviates the salnitiy-induced effects in celery. Overall, the T3 demonstrated the most promising effects on mitigating the effects of salt stress by decreasing the excess excitation energy of PSII in celery leaves through the heat dissipation pathway. This reduction lowers the excitation pressure on the reaction centers, enhances the activity of PSII reaction centers per unit cross-section, and improves photosynthesis activity, thereby improving the growth of celery plants under salt stress. Full article

Improving rye (Secale cereale) yield under increasing climatic stress remains a major challenge for sustainable cereal production. We examined whether early-vegetative physiological, biochemical, and molecular traits can predict final grain yield in hybrid-breeding components. Across three consecutive seasons, 14 genotypes were evaluated under controlled cold-greenhouse conditions for chlorophyll fluorescence, pigment content, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), salicylic acid (SA) levels, and the expression of selected antioxidant and defence-related genes, and these traits were related to yield components. Across years, photosynthetic efficiency (F_v/F_m, Rfd), chlorophyll content, and foliar H₂O₂ emerged as the most consistent predictors of kernel mass, spike number, and kernel number. In contrast, non-photochemical quenching, SA, and carotenoid contents showed weak or inconsistent relationships with yield. These findings indicate that light-harvesting capacity, PSII performance, and oxidative balance are central to reproductive success in rye. The stability of these trait–yield correlations across three seasons provides the basis for a physiological robustness index for hybrid rye, with predictive models achieving accuracies up to R = 0.51. This work demonstrates the potential of using a compact set of early-stage, high-throughput physiological traits to accelerate selection for stress-resilient, high-yielding rye cultivars. Full article

Phytoremediation utilizing woody plants represents a promising approach for mitigating cadmium (Cd) contamination; however, the potential of ornamental species such as Punica granatum L. (pomegranate) remains insufficiently characterized. This study evaluated the growth performance, physiological responses, and Cd accumulation patterns of pomegranate seedlings exposed to increasing Cd concentrations (T1–T6) in a hydroponic system. High Cd levels (≥T4) markedly suppressed plant growth, as evidenced by reductions in biomass, root necrosis, leaf wilting, and chlorosis. Photosynthetic efficiency was severely compromised, indicated by significant declines in chlorophyll content and key chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (Fv/Fm, ΦPSII, and qP). Simultaneously, increases in the chlorophyll a/b ratio, carotenoid content, and non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) reflected the activation of photoprotective mechanisms. A reduction in stomatal conductance (G_s) and net photosynthetic rate (P_n), coupled with elevated intercellular CO₂ concentration (C_i), suggested that non-stomatal limitations were primarily responsible for photosynthetic inhibition. Cd exposure also triggered oxidative stress, as shown by increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). In response, seedlings activated antioxidative and osmotic adjustment pathways, including elevated peroxidase (POD) activity and the accumulation of glutathione (GSH), proline, soluble proteins, and sugars. Notably, pomegranate displayed a root-based Cd sequestration strategy, with high root accumulation (bioconcentration factor, BCF > 271) and minimal translocation to aerial tissues (translocation factor, TF < 0.17). These findings demonstrate that pomegranate seedlings exhibit pronounced tolerance to Cd stress and substantial bioaccumulation capacity, supporting their potential application as ornamental woody species for phytoremediation of Cd-contaminated environments. Full article

Cobalt (Co) is an essential micronutrient for many organisms, but, at higher concentrations, it becomes harmful, primarily due to competitive interactions with other metal ions. Enzyme inhibition and disruption of nutrient homeostasis may lead to oxidative stress in Co-exposed cells. Compared to other heavy metals, such as Cd, Cu, Cr, Pb, or Ni, this element has been less studied in algae with respect to its toxicity and tolerance. Taking into account Co-induced oxidative stress and antioxidant response, the studies on algae usually did not cover a wider range of antioxidants and ROS-detoxifying enzymes monitored in one model. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of CoCl₂ on the model green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii from a broader perspective. We monitored algal growth, photosynthetic pigment content, the maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (F_v/F_m), the efficiency of nonphotochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence (NPQ), and oxidative stress markers (superoxide production, lipid peroxidation). The measured antioxidants included soluble thiols, ascorbate (Asc), proline (Pro), α-tocopherol (α-Toc), and plastoquinol (PQH₂-9). The superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities were also determined. Exposure to CoCl₂ resulted in increased levels of thiols, Asc, α-Toc, PQH₂-9, and CAT activity. At lower concentrations of CoCl₂, no increase in oxidative stress markers was observed, suggesting efficient antioxidant protection. On the contrary, exposure to higher concentrations of CoCl₂ caused the inhibition of growth and chlorophyll (Chl) synthesis, as well as the reduction in the Chl a/Chl b ratio, the F_v/F_m parameter, the efficiency of NPQ induction, and the levels of lipophilic antioxidants, along with an increase in lipid hydroperoxides. An interesting and novel result is the inhibitory effect of Co toxicity on state transitions in exposed algae. Full article

Cadmium (Cd) is a non-essential element that induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and damages the photosynthetic apparatus. Dopamine (DOP) is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in metabolism as an antioxidant. This research aimed to investigate whether exogenous DOP mitigates Cd-induced oxidative stress in soybean by assessing antioxidant metabolism, stress indicators, nutritional status, pigments, chlorophyll fluorescence, gas exchange, and biomass. The experiment was randomized with four treatments: two with Cd concentrations (0 and 500 µM Cd, described as—Cd and +Cd, respectively) and two DOP levels (0 and 100 µM DOP described as—DOP and +DOP, respectively). DOP mitigated Cd-induced damage by enhancing the antioxidant system and protecting the photosynthetic apparatus. This neurotransmitter positively modulated the enzymes superoxide dismutase (38%), catalase (27%), ascorbate peroxidase (23%), and peroxidase (31%), alleviating Cd-induced oxidative stress. In addition, DOP promoted increases in the effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (26%), photochemical quenching coefficient (18%), and electron transport rate (26%). Simultaneously, the neurotransmitter stimulated increases in the net photosynthetic rate (29%), stomatal conductance (35%), water use efficiency (38%), and instantaneous carboxylation efficiency (39%). Our results indicate that DOP exogenous increases tolerance to Cd-induced stress in soybean plants. Full article