Physiological and biochemical bases of AMF-mediated antimony stress tolerance in Linum usitatissimum: enhancing growth, phytochemical production, and oxidative damage resilience

Ahlem Zrig, Shereen M. Korany, Hana Sonbol, Emad A. Alsherif, Foued Hammouda, Danyah A. Aldailami, Marwa Yousry A. Mohamed, Mohamed S. Sheteiwy, Maria Gabriela Maridueña-Zavala and Salma Yousif Sidahmed Elsheikh
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Ahlem Zrig: Laboratory of Engineering Processes and Industrial Systems, Chemical Engineering Department, National School of Engineers of Gabes, University of Gabes, Gabes, Tunisia
Shereen M. Korany: Department of Biology, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Hana Sonbol: Department of Biology, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Emad A. Alsherif: Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt
Foued Hammouda: Higher Institute of Management of Gabes and Higher Institute of Management of Tunis, GEF2A-Lab, Tunis, Tunisia
Danyah A. Aldailami: Public Health Department, College of Health Sciences, Saudi Electronic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Marwa Yousry A. Mohamed: Department of Biology, College of Science, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Mohamed S. Sheteiwy: Department of Integrative Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Maria Gabriela Maridueña-Zavala: Centro de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas del Ecuador (CIBE), Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, ESPOL, Campus Gustavo Galindo, Guayaquil, Ecuador

Plant, Soil and Environment, vol. preprint

Abstract: Antimony (Sb) pollution from industrial activities poses a severe global threat, particularly impacting valuable medicinal crops like linseed, which are highly sensitive to heavy metals. This study reveals the remarkable potential of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) as a sustainable solution to this challenge. Our research demonstrates that while Sb stress significantly impairs linseed growth and photosynthesis, it also triggers oxidative damage. AMF improved photosynthetic performance and water status, and notably enhanced the biosynthesis of crucial phytochemicals like phenolics, flavonoids, and citric acid. These compounds are vital for both plant defence and human health. Furthermore, AMF promoted the accumulation of essential detoxifying agents, leading to a better redox balance and significantly reducing Sb uptake and translocation by 47%. This dual action not only bolsters the plant's tolerance to Sb but also enhances its medicinal value by boosting health-promoting bioactive metabolites. These promising findings underscore AMF's dual role: a powerful tool for phytoremediation and a natural enhancer of phytochemical quality. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi provide a sustainable, nature-inspired approach to safely cultivate medicinal plants in environments contaminated with heavy metals, underscoring the vital role of plant-microbe interactions in alleviating environmental stresses.

Keywords: medicinal plants; symbiosis; heavy metal; redox homeostasis; detoxification; physiological parameters (search for similar items in EconPapers)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:preprint:id:246-2025-pse

DOI: 10.17221/246/2025-PSE

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