Abstract
This study aimed at exploration of nickel (Ni) application (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 mg L−1) on physiological and biochemical attributes of sunflower cultivars (Hysun-33 and SF-187) grown in sand culture. Results revealed a significant decrease in vegetative parameters in both sunflower cultivars by increasing Ni concentration, although low levels of Ni (10 mg L−1) improved growth attributes to some extent. Among photosynthetic attributes, 30 and 40 mg L−1 Ni application severely reduced the photosynthetic rate (A), stomatal conductance (gs), water use efficiency (WUE), and Ci/Ca ratio but improved the transpiration rate (E) in both sunflower cultivars. The same level of Ni application also reduced leaf water potential, osmotic potentials, and relative water contents but increased leaf turgor potential and membrane permeability. At low level (10 and 20 mg L−1), Ni improved the soluble proteins, while high Ni concentration decreased it. The opposite was true for total free amino acids and soluble sugars. To conclude, the high Ni concentration in various plant organs had a strong impact with the changes in vegetative growth, physiological and biochemical attributes. A positive correlation of growth, physiological, water relations, and gas exchange parameters at low levels of Ni and negative correlation at higher Ni level confirmed that the supplementation of low Ni levels greatly modulated studied attributes. Based on observed attributes, Hysun-33 showed high tolerance to Ni stress as compared to SF-187.
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This paper is a part of Ph.D. studies of Muhammad Sajid Aqeel Ahmad, Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisaalabad.
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Muhammad Sajid Aqeel Ahmad has performed statistical analysis of this paper. Alia Riffat has edited, corrected, and proofread the manuscript. Mumtaz Hussain and Mansoor Hameed read and finalized the manuscript. Ambreen Khadija Alvi participated in manuscript editing and language correction.
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Ahmad, M.S.A., Riffat, A., Hussain, M. et al. Toxicity and tolerance of nickel in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Environ Sci Pollut Res 30, 50346–50363 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-25705-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-25705-2