Strontium alleviated the growth inhibition and toxicity caused by cadmium in rice seedlings

Cadmium (Cd) contamination of rice is an urgent ecological and agricultural problem. Strontium (Sr) has been shown to promote plant growth. However, the effect of Sr on rice seedlings under Cd stress is currently unclear. In this work hydroponic experiments were used to assess the impact of Sr on rice seedling growth under Cd stress. The findings demonstrated that foliar application of 0.5 mg L−1 Sr had no discernible impact on the development of rice seedlings. However, Sr significantly alleviated growth inhibition and toxicity in rice seedlings when threatened by Cd. Compared with the Cd treatment (Cd, 2.5 mg L−1), the root length, shoot height, and whole plant length of rice seedlings in the Cd + Sr treatment (Cd, 2.5 mg L−1; Sr, 0.5 mg L−1) increased by 4.96 %, 12.47 % and 9.60 %, respectively. The content of Cd in rice decreased by 23.34 % (roots) and 5.79 % (shoots). Sr lessened the degree of membrane lipid peroxidation damage (lower MDA concentration) among the seedlings of rice under Cd stress by controlling the activities of antioxidant enzymes and GSH content. By changing the expression of antioxidant enzyme-encoding genes and downregulating the heavy metal transporter gene (OsNramp5), Sr reduced accumulation and the detrimental effects of Cd on rice seedlings. Our study provides a new solution to the problem of Cd contamination in rice, which may promote the safe production of rice and benefit human health. [Display omitted] •Sr can mitigate Cd toxicity in rice.•Sr reduces growth inhibition induced by Cd and decreases Cd accumulation in rice.•Sr can counteract Cd-induced changes in antioxidant enzyme activities in rice.•The subcellular distribution and chemical forms of Cd in rice can be changed by Sr.•Sr reduces Cd accumulation in rice by regulating the expression of OsNramp5.