Abiotic stress reduces the plant growth and biomass production. Putrescine (Put) may be applied to alleviate numerous types of abiotic stresses in plants. The present research was intended to evaluate the role of exogenously applied Put in extenuation of cadmium (Cd) stress in coriander plants. Coriander seeds primed with 0.25, 0.5, and1 mM Put were allowed to grow in 50 mg kg-1 Cd contaminated soil for one month. Put treatment improved seed germination, gas exchange attributes, root growth and shoot growth of coriander. The improved activity of stress-responsive enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase, besides amplification of proline was observed in Put treated seedlings under Cd stress. In addition, a reduced amount of total soluble protein and sugars content were noticed in Cd stressed seedlings. Nevertheless, Put reduced MDA level in treated plants. Our results demonstrated that Put mitigated Cd induced stress by modulating antioxidants and photosynthetic activity of coriander plants.Novelty statement Most of the researchers have studied the role of endogenous putrescine in alleviation of plant stress. However, during current study, we primed coriander seeds with putrescine. Our results elucidated very promising role of exogenously applied putrescine in stress mitigation and growth improvement of coriander seedlings under Cd stress. The findings of current study advocate the application of putrescine for stress alleviation in crop plants.
Keywords: Cadmium; Coriandrum sativum; growth; priming; putrescine.