FOLIAR APPLICATION OF GLYCINEBETAINE (GB) ALLEVIATES THE CADMIUM (Cd) TOXICITY IN SPINACH THROUGH REDUCING Cd UPTAKE AND IMPROVING THE ACTIVITY OF ANTI-OXIDANT SYSTEM

A pot experiment was conducted to determine the effect of foliar applied glycinebetaine (GB) against cadmium (Cd) stress tolerance in spinach. The study consisted of three concentrations of Cd i.e., 0, 25 and 50 mg kg(-1) and foliar application of GB glycinebetaine i.e., 0 and 25 mM. The results indicated that Cd stress considerably reduced the root growth, shoot growth, fresh biomass, dry biomass, chlorophyll a and b contents. Moreover, the foliar application of GB under Cd stress considerably increased the root and shoot growth, fresh and dry biomass production, chlorophyll a and b contents and activity of anti-oxidant enzymes i.e., malondialdehyde (MDA) and ascorbate per oxidase (APX) and reduced the accumulation of Cd in the roots and leaves of spinach. In conclusion, foliar application of GB alleviates the Cd toxicity in spinach through reduction in Cd uptake and improvement in anti-oxidant defensive system under Cd stress.