Effects of soil polycyclic musk and cadmium on pollutant uptake and biochemical responses of wheat (Triticum aestivum).

The single and joint toxicological effects of AHTN and cadmium (Cd) on early developmental stages of wheat, including AHTN and Cd uptake, chlorophyll (CHL), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase (POD) contents in the seedlings, were investigated. Uptake of AHTN or Cd by seedlings increased with an increase in the concentrations of AHTN and Cd in soil. The presence of Cd inhibited the uptake of AHTN in wheat seedlings, while the low concentration of AHTN could induce the uptake of Cd. The biosynthesis of CHL was significantly inhibited by single AHTN and joint stress with AHTN and Cd. The MDA contents in wheat leaves and roots were significantly affected by single and joint stress with AHTN and Cd. SOD and POD activities in leaves was significantly induced by AHTN and Cd. However, the effect of AHTN and Cd on SOD and POD activities in roots was insignificant. This might indicate that wheat leaves were more sensitive to the binary mixture than wheat roots.