Reducing Chromium Toxicity in Chinese Cabbage through Synergistic Effects of Silicon and Selenium: A Study of Plant Growth, Chromium Content, and Biochemical Parameters

Xiuxian Fu, Sajid Mehmood, Waqas Ahmed, Wenjie Ou, Penghui Suo, Qinwen Zhang, Xiuhao Fu, Zhongyi Sun () and Weidong Li ()
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Xiuxian Fu: Center for Eco-Environment Restoration Engineering of Hainan Province, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Sajid Mehmood: Center for Eco-Environment Restoration Engineering of Hainan Province, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Waqas Ahmed: Center for Eco-Environment Restoration Engineering of Hainan Province, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Wenjie Ou: Center for Eco-Environment Restoration Engineering of Hainan Province, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Penghui Suo: Center for Eco-Environment Restoration Engineering of Hainan Province, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Qinwen Zhang: Center for Eco-Environment Restoration Engineering of Hainan Province, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Xiuhao Fu: Center for Eco-Environment Restoration Engineering of Hainan Province, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Zhongyi Sun: Center for Eco-Environment Restoration Engineering of Hainan Province, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Weidong Li: Center for Eco-Environment Restoration Engineering of Hainan Province, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 6, 1-16

Abstract: Silicon (Si) and selenium (Se) have been found to reduce chromium (Cr) toxicity in plants, which is important for crop production and human health. However, there is limited understanding of the interaction between Si and Se in mitigating Cr toxicity and its mechanisms. This study investigated the impact of Si and Se on Cr-treated Chinese cabbage growth, Cr content, and biochemical parameters in a hydroponic experiment. The results showed that both Si and Se effectively alleviate Cr toxicity and have a strong synergistic effect. They reduced Cr content in cabbage by 73.99% and increased photosynthetic pigments by 62.50% and 47.51%, respectively. Antioxidant enzyme activity increased by 28.20 and 21.37%, while non-enzyme antioxidants such as proline and GSH decreased by 27.44 and 28.51%. It was observed that the addition of Si and Se to Chinese cabbage under Cr stress resulted in a 29.58 and 134.37% increase in soluble protein and soluble sugar, respectively, as well as improved nutrient contents (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg). This suggests that Si and Se can improve the physiological ecology of Chinese cabbage, reducing the effects of Cr stress and contributing to the global control of heavy metal pollution in food crops.

Keywords: silicon; selenium; chromium; crop management; antioxidant enzymes activity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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