Influence of titanium and bio-fertilizers on some agronomic and physiological attributes of triticale exposed to cadmium stress

To evaluate the effects of titanium and bio-fertilizers on some agronomic and physiological properties of triticale grown in cadmium (Cd) contaminated soil, a glasshouse experiment was conducted based on a completely randomized design with three replications. The treatments were arranged in a 4×4 factorial experiment with four levels of titanium (control, bulk titanium, 0.01%, and 0.02% titanium nano-particles) and four levels of bio-fertilizers (no bio-fertilizer, Azotobacter chroococcum, Azospirillum brasilense and Azorhizobium caulinodans). The Cd contamination increased Cd accumulation in the leaves and seeds and also enhanced antioxidant enzymes activity. Cadmium stress decreased grain yield, 1000-grain weight and chlorophyll. Titanium nano-particle (0.02%) caused the maximum increase in grain yield, 1000-grain weight, leaf Cd, seed Cd, chlorophyll content. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity increased due to titanium application but malondialdehyde (MDA) contented decreased. Although, there was no significant difference between control and bulk titanium treatments in terms of SOD activity. The effect of 0.02% nano-particle in increasing SOD activity was more pronounced than 0.01% treatment. In addition, CAT activity was more affected by titanium nano-particles than bulk titanium. Furthermore, Azorhizobium increased grain yield, 1000-grain weight, leaf Cd, seed Cd and chlorophyll while decreased superoxide dismutase and catalase enzyme activity.