“Combating Plant Contamination: Mitigating Heavy Metal Effects in Bamboo Using Melatonin and Zeolite”
Amidst escalating concerns over heavy metal contamination in plant life, particularly the hazardous cadmium, RUDN University’s agronomists have made strides in developing a novel approach. Employing the synergistic effects of melatonin and zeolite, the team successfully shielded bamboo plants from the deleterious impact of heavy metals.
The insidious intrusion of cadmium into the soil, courtesy of industrial and agricultural waste, poses an imminent threat to agricultural and forested lands. Highlighting the implications for food safety and human health, Dr. Meysam Zargar, Associate Professor of Agrobiotechnology at RUDN University, emphasized the catastrophic consequences of cadmium-induced alterations in plant metabolism and cellular structure.
The research team conducted comprehensive experiments on bamboo, exposed to varying levels of cadmium ranging from 9 to 200 milligrams per liter. Notably, the application of melatonin and zeolite exhibited promising results. Their intervention not only neutralized cadmium contamination but also augmented the nutrient content of the soil. The addition of 150 micromoles of melatonin and 15 grams of zeolite emerged as the optimal combination, bolstering the antioxidant system of plants and enhancing the availability of crucial nutrients.
According to Dr. Zargar, the dual action of zeolite and melatonin demonstrated significant potential. Zeolite effectively curbed cadmium accumulation, while concurrently facilitating the absorption of vital nutrient ions by the plant roots. Melatonin, on the other hand, ameliorated oxidative stress by elevating the antioxidant activity, thereby fortifying cell membranes.
The findings, detailed in the publication “Scientia Horticulturae,” not only underscore the efficacy of these interventions in shielding bamboo from heavy metal contamination but also hold promising implications for safeguarding other plant species and ensuring agricultural sustainability.