@misc{10481/102766,
year = {2025},
month = {2},
url = {https://hdl.handle.net/10481/102766},
abstract = {Cadmium (Cd) stress considerably reduces crop yield. The use of biostimulants, like humic substances (HS), is a research
strategy for increasing Cd tolerance. The present study evaluated the effectiveness of a HS-based product in improving
Cd tolerance in lettuce. It was selected for its ability to enhance growth through improved photosynthesis and antioxidant
capacity although its effectiveness under Cd stress is unclear. The study also investigated which mode of HS application
(to roots or leaves) is more effective in enhancing Cd tolerance and reducing Cd accumulation. Plants were grown under
Cd stress (100 μM CdCl2), Cd stress + HS applied to the roots (R-HS) at 0.40 and 0.60 mL/L, and HS applied to the
leaves (F-HS) at 7.50 and 10.00 mL/L, alongside a control (no CdCl2). R-HS involved irrigating pots with HS diluted in a
nutrient solution, whereas F-HS consisted of spraying leaves with HS diluted in distilled water. Cd reduced shoot and root
dry weight (DW) by 35%. However, a lower reduction was observed under HS applications (16%, 22%, 19%, and 18%
at R-HS 0.40 and 0.60 mL/L, and F-HS 7.50 and 10.00 mL/L, respectively). These results were attributed to increased
antioxidant capacity, thiol biosynthesis, and photosynthesis activity. While the application mode did not affect the Cd
tolerance, R-HS 0.60 mL/L increased shoot Cd (21%), whereas F-HS 10.00 mL/L reduced it (14%). Our study indicates
that the HS-based product could enhance Cd tolerance in lettuce at the tested doses. In addition, R-HS 0.60 mL/L may be
effective for Cd phytoextraction, whereas F-HS can help reduce Cd accumulation in leaves.},
organization = {Universidad de Granada/
CBUA},
organization = {PAI program (Plan Andaluz de
Investigación, Grupo de Investigación AGR282)},
organization = {Grant from
the FPU of the Ministerio de Universidades awarded to SAC grant
number [FPU20/05049]},
publisher = {Springer},
keywords = {Biostimulant},
keywords = {Heavy metal},
keywords = {Oxidative stress},
title = {Humic substances enhance cadmium tolerance in lettuce by enhancing antioxidant activity and photosynthesis performance},
doi = {10.1007/s42729-025-02288-0},
author = {Atero Calvo, Santiago and Magro, Francisco and Masetti, Giacomo and Izquierdo Ramos, María José and Navarro León, Eloy and Ruiz Sáez, Juan Manuel},
}