The impacts of exogenous phosphorus on Cd absorption in perennial ryegrass root cell: Kinetic and mechanism study

Phosphorus (P) is critical to plants in metal-contaminated soils because it participates in various biochemical reactions during plant growth. However, the mechanisms of P in mitigating the toxicity of heavy metals to ryegrass root is still veiled. In this study, the physiological and biochemical dynamics of the ryegrass root under various cadmium (Cd) and P conditions were investigated in a hydroponic system. Cd stress decreased the length of the ryegrass root, but P application enhanced the root elongation to reduce the Cd concentration in the root. Both Cd and P dosages were positively correlated with hemicellulose 1 content, pectin content, and PME activity, while having a negative effect on cellulose content. Moreover, the addition of 80 mg L−1 P increased the contents of pectin and hemicellulose 1 by 2.5 and 5.8% even with 4 mg L−1 Cd. In addition, P supply increased pectin methylesterbase activity under Cd stress, which further changed the extra-cytoplasmic structures and cell wall composition. Thus, exogenous P promoted the immobilization of Cd onto the cell wall and protected protoplast primarily through indirectly regulating the binding capacity of the root cell wall for Cd. [Display omitted] •P addition significantly increased the length and activity of ryegrass roots.•Cd absorbed by roots was enhanced by P but most Cd was adsorbed by the cell wall.•The polysaccharides content and PME activity were altered by exogenous P.•The dilution and redistribution of Cd induced by P reduced the Cd toxicity in roots.