The modulation of ion homeostasis by silicon in cadmium treated poplar callus cells

One of the major reasons why cadmium is toxic in plants is because it disturbs their nutrient balance. The aim of this work is to investigate the effects of cadmium (Cd) and/or silicon (Si) on the nutrient status of poplar callus cells after 3 and after 9 weeks of Cd exposure and to study its possible relationship with the changes in the fresh and dry mass, the plasma membrane integrity, and cadmium tolerance patterns. A principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to reveal the associations among the elements, and the variability between both treatments, and between the 3- and 9-week stages. Cadmium reduced the fresh and dry mass, the plasma membrane integrity, and the concentration of all nutrients except for P. After 9 weeks of exposure, the Cd concentration in callus cells had almost doubled, in spite of an improvement in all studied parameters. These changes may be due to the callus acclimatizing to the Cd stress. In the Cd + Si treatment, the fresh and dry mass, the plasma membrane integrity, and the concentration of nutrients, as well as the growth tolerance index, increased in comparison with the Cd treatment. We assumed that the enhancement in the plasma membrane integrity mediated by Si under Cd stress had caused the improvement in the uptake of nutrients and, consequently, the fresh and dry mass of callus cells had increased. The reduction in Cd concentration due to the Si impact also contributed to the increase in fresh and dry mass.