Effect of biotic stimuli melatonin and sodium nitroprusside on mitigating heavy metal stress in corn (Zea mays L.)

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Assistant Professor of Agriculture Department, Faculty of Technical and Engineering, Payame Noor University, P. O. Box 19395-4697, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Introduction
Heavy metals (HMs) pose a serious threat to corn (Zea mays L.), a key crop for global food security. Melatonin (MT) enhances tolerance to abiotic stresses by regulating antioxidant enzyme activities and reducing oxidative damage. Similarly, sodium nitroprusside (SNP) has been reported to alleviate heavy metal toxicity and enhance stress tolerance in various crops by modulating nitric oxide signaling pathways. Therefore, this study aimed to: (i) evaluate the effects of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) accumulation on corn growth and biomass production, (ii) investigate the physiological responses of corn to heavy metal stress, including changes in dry matter partitioning among plant organs, and (iii) examine the interactive effects of heavy metals with MT and SNP on stress tolerance mechanisms and the phytoremediation potential of corn.
 
Materials and methods
This pot experiment was conducted in 2024 at the research farm of Payame Noor University, Gandoman, Borujan County, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, Iran, under controlled conditions in a rain-protected shelter. The corn cultivar used in this experiment was Single Cross 704. The experiment was arranged as a factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. Treatments consisted of four levels of heavy metals as the first factor: (i) control (no heavy metals), (ii) lead (Pb), (iii) cadmium (Cd), and (iv) combined Pb + Cd; and seven levels of melatonin and sodium nitroprusside as the second factor: (i) control, (ii) 0.05 mM melatonin (MT), (iii) 0.1 mM MT, (iv) 0.5 mM sodium nitroprusside (SNP), (v) 1.5 mM SNP, (vi) 0.05 mM MT + 0.5 mM SNP, and (vii) 0.1 mM MT + 1.5 mM SNP. Data were analyzed using SAS software (version 9.2), and figures were prepared using Microsoft Excel (2013). Mean comparisons were carried out using Duncan’s multiple range test at a 95% confidence level.
 
Results and discussion
Exposure to Pb and Cd significantly increased peroxidase (POD) activity by 24% and 12%, respectively, and enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity compared to the control. The combined Cd + Pb treatment increased peroxidase (POD) activity by 32% compared with the control. The combined Cd + Pb treatment also increased malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) contents by 42% and 46%, respectively, compared with the control. The combined Cd + Pb treatment reduced microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN) by 8% and 33%, respectively. According to quantitative data, total plant dry weight decreased by 24% under combined Cd + Pb stress compared with the control. In contrast, MT-treated plants under combined Cd + Pb stress showed a 26% increase in total dry weight compared with the control. Similarly, SNP application resulted in a 20% increase in total dry weight.
Conclusion
This study demonstrated that exogenous application of melatonin and sodium nitroprusside effectively mitigates the detrimental effects of heavy metal stress on corn growth. The results demonstrated that both treatments enhanced corn resistance to heavy metal stress. Specifically, the findings highlighted the positive effects of MT and SNP in improving corn tolerance to combined Cd and Pb stress. The results confirmed that MT and SNP treatments significantly reduced oxidative stress markers such as H₂O₂ and MDA while enhancing aboveground biomass and photosynthetic pigment content. These findings suggest that MT and SNP have the potential to improve crop resilience and productivity in heavy metal–contaminated soils. Future research should aim to elucidate the molecular pathways involved in MT- and SNP-mediated stress tolerance, validate these findings under field conditions, and develop practical application strategies for large-scale agricultural use.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Environmental Stresses in Crop Sciences

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 18 April 2026

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  • Receive Date: 26 December 2024
  • Revise Date: 06 February 2025
  • Accept Date: 15 February 2025

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