Effects of Mycorrhizae and Salicylic Acid on Growth, Cadmium Content and Uptake of Maize (Zea mays L.) Seedlings in Cadmium Contaminated Media

Cadmium (Cd) pollution is an important problem today. In this study, the effects of mycorrhiza (M) and salicylic acid (SA) applications on plant height, fresh weight, dry weight, number of leaves, and Cd content and uptake of maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings grown in Cd treated environments were determined. For this purpose, 3 kg pots with and without mycorrhizae were used with two doses of salicylic acid (SA1: 1.0 mM and SA2: 2.0 mM). The study was carried out in three replications. As a result of the measurements, mycorrhiza and Salicylic acid applications significantly increased plant height, fresh and dry weight of corn seedlings. On the other hand, mycorrhiza and Salicylic acid applications decreased Cd content and uptake. The lowest plant height was 26.63 cm, the number of leaves was 5.6, the fresh weight was 3.74 g and the dry weight was 1.63 g in the control group, which was not treated with mycorrhiza and SA. The highest plant height was 56.17 cm, the number of leaves was 7.50, and the fresh weight was 21.46 g, with 2.0 mM SA application without mycorrhiza treatment. The highest dry weight was determined with 5.70 g in mycorrhiza and 2.0 mM SA application. While the highest Cd content of corn seedlings was 3.37 mg kg-1 and its uptake was 5.95 mg kg-1 in the control application, the lowest Cd content was 0.307 mg kg-1 and uptake were 1.48 mg kg-1 with mycorrhiza with 2.0 mM SA and 1.0 mM SA. detected in applications. When the results of our study were examined, mycorrhiza and SA applications had positive effects on corn seedlings grown in Cd-contaminated environments. The combined application of salicylic acid and mycorrhiza will contribute significantly to yield and nutrient content in agricultural production against heavy metal pollution.