Research Paper by IJAAR on Alterations in macro and micronutrient uptake

Alterations in macro and micronutrient uptake by Jambu exposed to cadmium

Cadmium (Cd) is considered one of the metals that more represents ecotoxic effects to human beings, animals and plants, with high adverse potential to the environment and food quality (Kabata-Pendias, 2010). It naturally occurs associated with sedimentary and igneous rocks, forming minerals as the greenochite (Cds) and octative (CdCO3). Due to its geochemical affinity with phosphorus, sulfur and carbon, the increase of its concentration are related to the higher presence of these elements inn rocks (Alloway, 2013).The industrial appliance of Cd are linked to the production of Ni-Cd and Ag-Cd batteries, however, the main source is the refining of zinc (Zn), as a byproduct. Nevertheless, the Cd is also used in the fabrication of pigments, plastic, electric circuit plates, fertilizers and in addition to its presence on fossil fuel (Alloway, 2013; Shanmugaraj et al., 2019). In addition, the metal can reach the environment through the intensive use of phosphate fertilizers, sewage sludge on agriculture, pesticides, and so on (Alloway, 2013; Rai et al., 2019).According to Shanmugaraj et al. (2019) and Qin et al. (2020), the plant exposition to Cd can provoke damage to the photosynthetic apparatus, clorosis, necrosis and even total loss in some species. The presence of the metal acts negatively in the nutrient absorption, because cadmium competes with calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) for having similar chemical properties (Khan et al., 2015). Cadmium can also affects the nitrogen metabolism (N) and severely reduce the phosphorus and potassium content, harming the growth of plants contaminated with the metal (Khan et al., 2016).According to Naeem et al. (2019) and Khan et al. (2016), Cd interfere in the micronutrient absorption as cooper (Cu), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn). The influence of Cd in relation of micronutrients occurs mainly with the reduction in the translocation of these mineral elements to the plant leaves. In relation of Fe, the reduction of Cd concentration promotes the decreasing of ferredoxins, affecting the photosynthetic apparatus (Taiz et al., 2017).These effects, however, are related with the capacity of some plants have to adapt or not with the metal presence. For some species of plants named accumulators and hyperaccumulators, the levels of Cd accumulated in its tissues exceed the toxicity limits of most vegetable species without showing adverse effects (Sytar et al., 2016). On other plants, the metal in low concentration provoke stimulant effect of growth, however, in high concentrations it shows toxicity signs. This phenomena is known as hormesis and its characterized by the binary effect, with stimulant and inhibitory response of organism to stress (Calabrese and Blain, 2009; Ray, et al., 2014; Pincelli-Souza et al., 2020).In analysis of the phytoremediation potential of Acmella oleracea (L.) R.K. Jansen, Hungria et al. (2019), observed that the plant cultivated in contaminated soil with 9mg/kg of Cd showed low sensibility to the metal, without toxicity signs.Acmella oleracea (L.) R.K. Jansen, also known as jambu, is largely used in Amazon culinary, composing traditional dishes, cooked or in natura. Widely utilized in pharmaceutical industry for producing alkaloid called espilantol and in the cosmetic industry. Jambu as a vegetable consumed not only in the Amazon region but in several parts of the world, needs to be better studied, especially with regard to the ability to tolerate heavy metals, including Cd (Dubey, et al., 2013; Lalthanpuii, et al., 2017; Uthapala and Navaratne, 2021).In this sense, this survey aims to demonstrate how the presence of Cd can influence the uptake and efficient use of nutrients by jambu.