Effect of Seed Priming with Silk Reeling Effluent and Saffron Petal Wastes on Enhancing Cadmium Stress Tolerance in Physalis Species

Rmezani, Shima; Moradi, Rooholla; Alipanah, Masoud; Ziaei, Seyed Masoud

doi:10.22034/jmpb.2026.371576.2113

Effect of Seed Priming with Silk Reeling Effluent and Saffron Petal Wastes on Enhancing Cadmium Stress Tolerance in Physalis Species

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

¹ Department of Plant Production, University of Torbat Heydarieh, Torbat Heydarieh, Iran

² Saffron Institute, University of Torbat Heydarieh, Torbat Heydarieh, Iran

10.22034/jmpb.2026.371576.2113

Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) is a highly mobile and soluble heavy metal that is easily taken up by plants, making it a significant source of contamination in agricultural produce. This study was carried out to evaluate the potential of selected natural substances in mitigating the adverse effects of Cd stress on two Physalis species at the research laboratory of University of Torbat Heydarieh, Iran. The experiment was arranged as a factorial based on a completely randomized design, with treatments including two levels of Cd (0 and 500 µM), two Physalis species (Ph. peruviana and Ph. ixocarpa), and seven priming methods (control (no priming), hydropriming (HP), salicylic acid (SA) (1 mM), vermicompost water extract (VE):10%, Silk reeling effluent (SRE): 100%, wood vinegar (WV): 100%, and saffron petal water extract (SPE): 10%). The results showed that Cd stress significantly reduced germination rate, seedling biomass, chlorophyll a content, and the activities of Ascorbate Peroxidase (APX) and Catalase (CAT), while it increased malondialdehyde (MDA) and proline levels in both species. Among the two species, Ph. ixocarpa exhibited a higher stress tolerance index (STI) than Ph. peruviana. Seed priming with some natural compounds, particularly SRE and SPE, meaningfully enhanced germination rate, seedling biomass, chlorophyll a content, and activities of APX and CAT, but reducing stress markers such as MDA and proline. Seed priming with WV not only failed to improve germination and seedling growth, but also resulted in lower values than the control in both species. Overall, seed priming with SRE and SPE proved more effective than SA in enhancing seed germination and growth of Physalis species in Cd stress condition. Notably, Ph. ixocarpa demonstrated greater tolerance.

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