丛枝菌根真菌AMF提高植物抗逆性的组学技术研究进展

【目的】丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)可以显著提高植物对逆境胁迫的抵抗能力,本文综述了国内外针对代表性组学技术(转录组学、蛋白质组学和代谢组学)在AMF提高植物抗逆领域(干旱、温度、盐碱、重金属)的研究进展,分析了在逆境胁迫下,植物–菌根共生体在分子层面上的应答调控机理,为深入理解AMF提高植物耐逆的分子机理提供一定的科学依据。【主要进展】植物主要通过根系与AMF建立共生关系,进而从土壤中吸收更多的水分和营养物质,提高植物对非生物胁迫的抵抗能力。菌根植物在转录、翻译以及表观遗传层面应答非生物胁迫。AMF在不同程度上上调或下调某些与非生物胁迫相关基因的转录或蛋白的翻译及降解,从而提高植物对非生物胁迫的抵抗能力,维持植物的生长发育,提高其对水分和营养物质的吸收和利用效率。通过转录组学、蛋白质组学和代谢组学分析关键基因、蛋白及代谢物的变化,为深入挖掘AMF提高植物抗逆机理提供理论依据。【研究展望】揭示丛枝菌根共生体抗逆机理的组学技术研究仍处于起步阶段,单一组学的应用限制了信息表达的完整性和深层次网络调控机理的精确性。随着测序技术和手段在速度、精度等方面的提高以及生物信息学的更新发展,AMF提高植物抗...     

硅对盐胁迫下黄瓜幼苗生长和矿质元素吸收的影响

采用幼苗水培实验,研究外源硅对盐胁迫下黄瓜幼苗生长过程中吸收某些矿质元素的影响。对植株地上部和地下部各元素的分析表明,盐胁迫条件下,外源硅有效调节了黄瓜根系对Na+、Ca2+、K+的吸收以及向地上部的转运。适量的硅降低了黄瓜根系从介质中吸收Na+量,并减少其向地上部的运输,而增加了植株体对K+、Ca2+的吸收和转运量,有效缓解了Na+对黄瓜植株体造成的盐胁迫伤害,保证了黄瓜幼苗的正常生长。在相同的处理条件下,盐分敏感品种的Na+在根系和地上部累积量都要比耐盐品种高,而K+的积累量却正好相反,这可能是耐盐品种减轻盐害的主要方式。对其它营养元素的研究表明,施硅抑制了对N素的吸收,对P素的吸收则影响不大。     

植物吸收铵态氮的分子生物学基础

植物对铵离子的吸收和铵离子在细胞间的转运是铵转运蛋白介导的需能主动运输过程。植物铵转运蛋白位于细胞膜上,含有101～1个跨膜域,分子量约为48.kD。研究表明,植物体内的铵转运蛋白由小基因家族成员编码,在表达特性上不同成员具有时空特异性。植物体内铵转运蛋白在功能、生化特性和转录调节水平上存在差异。在不同氮素水平下,铵转运蛋白基因通过转录和翻译调控,对于保持植株的适宜氮素供应以及氮胁迫条件下维持植物细胞中氮素的内稳态具有重要作用。     

WRKY转录因子调控植物养分吸收利用及重金属解毒的研究进展

WRKY蛋白是植物特有的一类重要转录调控因子，它们通过与下游基因启动子上的W-box元件特异性结合诱导或抑制相关基因的表达，从而调控植物生长发育以及植物对生物和非生物胁迫的响应。植物WRKY基因组数目多，在拟南芥、大豆和水稻基因组中已经分别鉴定出74、182和109个，在植物对干旱、盐害、高温、养分匮乏和病原体感染等各种生物、非生物胁迫的响应过程中起关键作用。例如AtWRKY45和AtWRKY75参与调控拟南芥应答低磷养分胁迫，GmWRKY142正向调控拟南芥对镉胁迫的耐受性。在植物面对逆境胁迫时，WRKY蛋白通过与养分相关基因启动子的W-box元件特异性结合，进而实现自我调节或交叉调节，激活或抑制下游基因的转录以应对各种逆境胁迫。众多WRKY下游靶基因也已被鉴定出来，例如PHT家族成员与磷营养相关；3个拟南芥WRKY基因和6个大豆WRKY基因参与调控植物对氮素的吸收利用；6个拟南芥WRKY基因、10个大豆WRKY基因和5个水稻WRKY基因调节植物应对低磷胁迫；2个拟南芥WRKY基因和6个大豆WRKY基因影响植物对钾的吸收利用；3个大豆WRKY基因参与调控植物对硫营养的吸收利用；1个拟...     

盐胁迫下添加外源硅提高水稻抗氧化酶活性与钠钾平衡相关基因表达

  【目的】  盐胁迫是影响全球作物生长的主要非生物胁迫之一,添加外源硅可有效提高植物对盐胁迫的抗性。本研究通过水培试验,分析硅对盐胁迫下水稻生长、光合系统、钠钾含量、抗氧化酶活性和钠钾平衡关键基因表达量的影响,以探究硅缓解水稻盐胁迫的机制。  【方法】  供试材料为日本晴水稻 (Oryza sativa L. cv. Nipponbare),设置NaCl 0 (CK)、50 (Na1) 和100 mmol/L (Na2) 3个盐胁迫浓度与Na₂SiO₃ 0 (Si0)、0.5 (Si1) 和1.5 mmol/L (Si2) 3个硅浓度,共9个处理。处理5天后,测定水稻长度与生物量、光合与蒸腾速率、氧化伤害、钠钾含量。结果表明,在100 mmol/L NaCl与1.5 mmol/L硅处理下,硅盐互作效果最显著,据此进一步测定了该处理下水稻的抗氧化酶活性与钠钾转运关键基因表达量。  【结果】  盐胁迫显著降低了水稻地上部与地下部的长度与干重,同时显著降低了光合速率、蒸腾速率和叶绿素含量,并明显促进丙二醛的累积。盐胁迫下,外源硅显著增加了水稻地上部高度与干重,但对地下部长度与干重无显著影响;盐胁迫下添加硅显著提高了叶片光合速率和叶绿素含量,显著降低了丙二醛含量,但对蒸腾速率无显著影响。盐胁迫均引起地上部与地下部钠含量显著上升与钾含量显著下降,盐胁迫下添加外源硅可显著降低地上部钠含量,但是对钾含量没有显著影响,并且硅对根系钠钾含量均无显著影响。总体而言,100 mmol/L NaCl处理在水稻中造成的生长抑制、氧化伤害与钠钾失衡等胁迫伤害比50 mmol/L NaCl处理更为严重,而添加1.5 mmol/L的硅对盐胁迫的缓解效果优于添加0.5 mmol/L的硅。在100 mmol/L NaCl处理下,添加1.5 mmol/L的硅显著提高了SOD、CAT、APX的活性,但是对POD的活性无显著影响;同时,添加1.5 mmol/L硅显著提高了盐胁迫下水稻钾吸收基因 (OsHAK1、OsHAK7、OsHAK11与OsHAK12)、钠外排基因 (OsSOS1) 与钠区隔化基因 (OsNHX1、OsNHX3与OsNHX5) 的表达。  【结论】  营养液中添加1.5 mmol/L的硅比0.5 mmol/L的硅对盐胁迫下水稻的生长、光合系统和离子平衡调控效果更好,能更有效地缓解水稻盐胁迫。硅可通过调控SOD、CAT、APX等抗氧化酶活性与钾吸收、钠外排和钠区隔化等钠钾平衡关键基因的表达,从而缓解水稻盐胁迫。     

菌根植物适应低磷胁迫的分子机制

丛枝菌根 (AM) 真菌能够和绝大多数陆生植物建立共生体系,对于植物适应低磷胁迫具有重要作用。已有很多研究从不同角度揭示了宿主植物和AM真菌协同适应低磷胁迫的生理机制,并已深入到分子和信号水平。本文归纳了近年来相关研究成果,从磷胁迫信号感知、有机酸分泌、磷酸酶与激素合成相关基因、磷酸盐转运蛋白基因、转录因子与小分子物质miRNA等若干方面讨论了菌根共生体系响应和适应磷胁迫的分子机理,重点介绍了1) 环境磷浓度作为营养信号诱发菌根植物的生理响应过程及其在共生体系建立中的关键作用;2) AM真菌调节植物激素平衡进而影响植物生长发育和根系构型的生理机制;3) 丛枝菌根涉及的植物、真菌以及菌根特异诱导植物产生的磷酸盐转运蛋白基因在磷酸盐摄取中的特殊作用及可能调控机制;4) 转录因子作为感知磷胁迫信号和调控转录表达水平的枢纽,在增强植物适应磷胁迫能力方面的重要贡献。这些因素既单独作用又相互关联,共同构成菌根植物适应磷胁迫的分子调控网络。未来需要着重加强菌根共生界面的磷转运机制、菌根植物适应低磷胁迫的转录因子调节,以及各调控因子相互作用研究,从而全面揭示菌根植物适应低磷胁迫的分子调控网络,为发展和应用菌根技术调控植物磷营养奠定理论基础。     

非生物胁迫下植物水通道蛋白的应答与调控

【目的】水分不仅是细胞中各类生命物质合成的必需底物,而且也参与植物体内的养分代谢和渗透平衡的调节。植物中水分的跨膜转运主要是由水通道蛋白(AQPs)所介导的,因此,无论是在植物整体水平还是细胞水平上,水分的吸收以及跨细胞膜系统的转运对于植物的生长发育都是至关重要的。近年来,水通道蛋白作为调节水分的吸收与转运的关键,已成为植物营养与分子生物学特别关注和研究的热点之一。本文从水通道蛋白的种类结构,底物特异性,基因表达特征和调控机制四个方面对水通道蛋白转运水分的机理和转运水分过程中对胁迫的响应机制进行了详细阐述;从水通道蛋白的水分运输和渗透调节功能及其养分运输功能两方面说明了水通道蛋白在植物生长过程中的生理作用;阐述了光照、干旱和低温与水通道蛋白功能之间的关系,明确了水通道蛋白通过表达量的增加或者降低来响应相应环境条件的变化。【主要机理】水通道蛋白通过保持一定结构及对底物运输的特异性来实现对水分的高效运输,通过调整基因的表达量和翻译后修饰等过程实现对水分的高效转运;同时,水通道蛋白可以通过水分的运输实现植物渗透平衡的调节,对部分小分子养分的吸收等功能更是实现了对植物生理和养分吸收的调节;另外,水通道蛋白不仅可以提高植物的抗旱、抗盐能力,对低温胁迫也有一定的响应,还可以与多类逆境胁迫蛋白发生相互作用,共同调节植物的水分和渗透平衡,提高植物应对逆境胁迫的能力,表明植物水通道蛋白对非生物胁迫下的应答机制有待于进一步探索,为植物水通道蛋白的应用研究提供科学的理论支持与材料支撑。     

利用转录组测序技术鉴定紫花苜蓿根系盐胁迫应答基因

盐害是影响紫花苜蓿生产力的主要非生物因素之一,鉴定控制这一复杂性状的基因将为苜蓿育种计划提供关键信息。为揭示紫花苜蓿在盐胁迫下基因表达谱的变化,以紫花苜蓿Millennium为材料,对正常培养(WT_CK1)和盐胁迫(WT_N1)条件下的2个样品根系进行转录组分析,同时利用实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)技术对部分关键基因的表达特点进行验证。结果表明,紫花苜蓿根系在250 m M Na Cl胁迫72 h时,共检测到31 907个基因表达量发生了改变,2 758个基因的表达量差异达到2倍以上,包括199个转录因子,其中1 338个表达量上调,1 420个表达量下调,这些差异表达基因功能主要涉及次生代谢、代谢途径、激素代谢及信号转导和植物病原菌互作等。qRT-PCR分析表明,6个随机选择的基因在胁迫前后的表达特点与表达谱测序结果一致。综上,紫花苜蓿根系对盐胁迫响应是一个多基因参与、多个生物代谢过程反应协同调控的过程,基因表达量的变化可能是调控的主要方式。此外,本研究候选了一系列胆汁酸:Na+共转运蛋白、晚期胚胎发生富集蛋白、谷胱甘肽-s-转移酶基因和转录因子等与紫花苜蓿盐胁迫相关的应答关键基因,为揭示紫花苜蓿耐盐分子机制奠定了基础。     

植物中铵转运蛋白的研究进展

铵转运蛋白在众多生物中被克隆与鉴定，它是一种广泛存在于微生物、植物细胞及动物的细胞膜上主动转运铵离子的载体，分子量约为48kD，含有10-11个跨膜域。本文阐述了植物铵转运蛋白分离鉴定的过程，对于铵转运蛋白的结构、功能、基因表达调控等方面作了较详细叙述。不同氮素条件下，铵转运蛋白基因通过转录调控表现了对铵离子吸收转运的不同特点，使植物根系在较宽的浓度范围中吸收铵离子，为细胞内铵离子库的内稳态提供了理论依据。铵转运蛋白有助于作物更有效的吸收氮素，为农业生产粮食增收提供了有利保障。     

小麦TaWRKY51基因的克隆、表达分析和转基因功能鉴定

WRKY是植物中特有的锌指型转录因子,其广泛参与植物对生物及非生物胁迫的响应过程.本研究从小麦(Triticum aestivum L.)中分离出一个新的WRKY转录因子基因TaWRKY51,其全长cDNA序列长度为1295 bp,其中开放阅读框(ORF)为942 bp,编码一个由313个氨基酸组成的多肽.用半定量RT-PCR进行表达谱分析,结果显示,TaWRKY51基因在分蘖节、叶和根系中的表达水平较高,并且受干旱胁迫诱导上调表达.在拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)中过量表达TaWRKY51基因导致转基因株系侧根数目明显增多,并且对ABA、干旱和盐等胁迫处理的敏感性增加,表明该基因可能在植物响应非生物逆境胁迫信号传导过程中起负调控作用.本研究有助于揭示TaWRKY51基因调控植物侧根发育及响应非生物逆境胁迫的分子机制.     

Nitrogen nutrition and adaptation of glycophytes to saline environment: a review

Relations between nitrogen (N) nutrition and salinity tolerance in plants are multifaceted and varies significantly depending on many soil and plant factors. Saline environment might experience an N dilemma due to the opposing effects of salt ions on N uptake, translocation and metabolism within the plant body. Adequate regulation of N under saline conditions can be a promising approach to alleviate salinity’s effects on plants by ameliorating ion toxicity and nutrient imbalances through its impacts on the uptake and redistribution of salt ions within the plant. Certain N-containing compounds including proline, glycine betaine, proteins and polyamines help the plants to tolerate salinity through their involvement in improving water uptake and water use efficiency, membrane integrity, enzyme activation, hormonal balance, chlorophyll synthesis, stimulation of photosystems and CO₂ assimilation under salinity stress. Nitrogen, particularly NO₃^? represents a stress signal that triggers the activation of antioxidant enzymes to protect the plants against salinity-induced oxidative damage. Furthermore, the source/form of N application can affect not only N-interactions but also the behavior of other nutrients in stress environment. The present review deals with N-salinity relations in plants, particularly glycophytes, emphasizing on N-induced mechanisms which can improve plant adaptation to saline environment.     

硅促进盐胁迫下黄瓜NHX1基因表达及Na+在液泡中的区隔化效应

  【目的】   硅可提高植物的耐盐性,但不同植物中硅提高耐盐性的机理并不相同。探究硅对盐胁迫下黄瓜幼苗的氧化损伤、Na+积累和激素水平的影响,以阐明硅提高黄瓜耐盐性的机制。   【方法】   以基因型为Mch-4的黄瓜幼苗为试材,进行水培试验。营养液中NaCl的胁迫浓度为65 mmol/L,施硅水平为Na₂SiO₃·9H₂O 0.3 mmol/L。在处理10天后,测定黄瓜幼苗生物量、Na+含量与分配、Na+转运相关基因表达水平及激素含量。   【结果】   施硅可改善盐胁迫下黄瓜幼苗的生长,减轻植株的氧化损伤。硅对盐胁迫下黄瓜根系和叶片Na+含量无明显影响,可显著降低根和叶中质膜Na+/H+反向转运蛋白基因SOS1的表达量,对高亲和力钾转运蛋白基因HKT1的表达均影响不大,但促进了液泡膜Na+/H+反向转运蛋白基因NHX1的表达。对盐胁迫下黄瓜叶片Na+的亚细胞定位发现,硅处理使叶绿体中Na+含量下降,而液泡中Na+含量升高。硅处理提高了盐胁迫植株根和叶片中赤霉素、生长素和细胞分裂素的水平。   【结论】   施硅可提高液泡膜Na+/H+反向转运蛋白基因NHX1的表达,将Na+区隔化于液泡中,进而降低叶绿体中的Na+含量,缓解盐胁迫下黄瓜幼苗的氧化损伤;硅还诱导产生了较多的赤霉素、生长素和细胞分裂素,其调控Na+积累和黄瓜幼苗的氧化损伤的机理还需进一步研究。     

Silicon-Induced Growth and Yield Enhancement in Two Wheat Genotypes Differing in Salinity Tolerance

Silicon (Si) is known to alleviate a number of abiotic stresses in higher plants including salinity stress. Two independent experiments were conducted to evaluate the role of Si in alleviating salinity stress in two contrasting wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes, Auqab-2000' (salt sensitive) and SARC-3 (salt tolerant). In the first experiment, genotypes were grown in hydroponics with two levels of salinity (0 and 60 mM NaCl) with and without 2 mM Si in a completely randomized design with four replications. Salinity stress significantly (P < 0.01) decreased all of the growth parameters, increased sodium (Na⁺) concentration, and decreased potassium (K⁺) concentration in shoots of both genotypes grown in hydroponics. Silicon significantly improved growth of both genotypes. The increase in growth was more prominent under salt stress (75%) than under normal condition (15%). In the second experiment, both genotypes were grown in normal [electrical conductivity (EC) = 1.23 d Sm^–1] and natural saline field (EC = 11.92 d Sm^–1) conditions with three levels of Si (0, 75, and 150 g g^–1 Si) with three replications in a randomized complete block design. Silicon significantly (P < 0.05) decreased growth reduction in both genotypes caused by salinity stress. The grain yield under salt stress decreased from 62% to 33% and from 44% to 20% of the maximum potential in Auqab-2000 and SARC-3, respectively, when 150 g g^–1 Si was used. Auqab-2000 performed better in normal field conditions, but SARC-3 produced more straw and grain yield in saline field conditions. Addition of Si significantly (P < 0.05) improved K uptake and reduced Na⁺ uptake in both of wheat genotypes and increased the K⁺/Na⁺ ratio in shoot. Enhanced salinity tolerance and improved growth in wheat by Si application was attributed to decreased Na⁺ uptake, its restricted translocation toward shoots, and enhanced K⁺ uptake.     

WHEAT GENOTYPES DIFFERED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THEIR RESPONSE TO SILICON NUTRITION UNDER SALINITY STRESS

We studied the growth and ionic composition of five wheat genotypes (Inqlab-91, Uqab 2002, SARC-1, SARC-3, and SARC-5) grown under salinity stress to applied silicon. Plants were grown with three levels of salinity [0, 60, and 120 mM sodium chloride (NaCl)] in the presence of 0, 2, and 4 mM Si in nutrient solution for 40 days. Salinity stress significantly decreased shoot and root biomass in plants with varying degrees. Genotype SARC-3 exhibited higher salt tolerance than other genotypes. Silicon (Si) application significantly (P < 0.05) increased plant biomass at both control as well as under saline conditions. Genotypes differed significantly for their response to applied Si in terms of biomass production. Silicon application significantly (P < 0.01) increased potassium (K⁺) concentration in shoots. Enhanced salinity tolerance in wheat by Si application was attributed to increased K⁺ uptake thereby increasing K⁺/sodium (Na⁺) ratio and lower Na⁺ translocation towards shoot.     

Growth and Nutrient Use in Four Grasses Under Drought Stress as Mediated by Silicon Fertilizers

Field water stress is a common problem in crop production, especially in arid and semi-arid zones and it is widely hypothesized that silicon (Si) could reduce water stress in plants. We set up a greenhouse study to evaluate some silicon sources—potassium silicate (K₂SiO₃), calcium silicate (CaSiO₃) and silica gel for growth and nutrient uptake by four grass species under adequate and deficit irrigation. The four species studied were Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana), Timothy grass (Phleum pratense), Sudan grass (Sorghum sudanense) and Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea). For all species, the biomass yield response to applied silicon under deficit irrigation was significantly better than under adequate irrigation. The yield response of Rhodes grass across silicon sources was 205% under deficit irrigation compared with only 59% under adequate irrigation; for Sudan grass it was 49% compared with 26% and for Timothy, it was 48% compared with a mere 1%. The higher responses under deficit irrigation suggest that the plants relied more on silicon to endure drought stress. Biomass yield of individual plants also differed according to soil water levels with Timothy grass being the most sensitive to water stress as it exhibited the highest yield response (209%) to adequate irrigation. This was followed by tall fescue (122%) and Rhodes grass (97%). Sudan grass was the least affected by deficit irrigation, possibly on account of improved root mass and its natural drought tolerance. Strong associations were noted between the uptake of silicon and those of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) irrespective of soil water condition, but the uptake of potassium (K) was more strongly correlated with that of Si under deficit than adequate irrigation. Improvements in plant growth following Si application could therefore be linked to enhanced uptake of major essential nutrients.     

Silicon Decreases Transpiration Rate and Conductance from Stomata of Maize Plants

ABSTRACT

To characterize the effect of silicon (Si) on decreasing transpiration rate in maize (Zea mays L.) plants, the transpiration rate and conductance from both leaves and cuticula of maize plants were measured directly. Plants were grown in nutrient solutions with and without Si under both normal water conditions and drought stress [20% polyethylene glycol (PEG) concentration in nutrient solution] treatments. Silicon application of 2 mmol L^?1 significantly decreased transpiration rate and conductance for both adaxial and abaxial leaf surface, but had no effect on transpiration rate and conductance from the cuticle. These results indicate that the role of Si in decreasing transpiration rate must be largely attributed to the reduction in transpiration rate from stomata rather than cuticula. Stomatal structure, element deposition, and stomatal density on both adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces were observed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and a light microscope. Results showed that changes in neither stomatal morphology nor stomatal density could explain the role of Si in decreasing stomatal transpiration of maize plants. Silicon application with H₄SiO₄ significantly increased Si concentration in shoots and roots of maize plants. Silicon concentration in shoots of maize plants was higher than in roots, whether or not Si was applied. Silicon deposits in cell walls of the leaf epidermis were mostly in the form of polymerized SiO₂.     

Effect of silicon amendment on soil-cadmium availability and uptake in rice grown in different moisture regimes

Greenhouse experiments were conducted to study the effects of silicon on soil-cadmium availability and uptake in rice grown in an acid soil maintained under two different moisture regimes (field capacity or submergence). The silicon treatment decreased the cadmium concentration and uptake in grain and straw, while it increased the cadmium uptake in roots of plants grown on cadmium contaminated soil. Cadmium availability in soil decreased with increase in silicon applied in soil due to the rise in soil pH. The results suggest that the reduction of soil-cadmium availability could be due to cadmium immobilization caused by calcium silicate-induced pH rise in the soils. The decrease in cadmium concentration and uptake in grain and straw could be attributed to the silicon-mediated distribution of cadmium that resulted in the increased accumulation of toxic cadmium in the roots more than the edible parts of the rice plants.     

硅对植物抗逆性作用的研究

硅对植物的生长具有促进作用，主要是提高植物的抗逆性。就硅对植物的抗旱、抗病、抗虫、抗倒伏、抗盐、抗冻和抗重金属等方面作了主要论述。     

Amelioration of cadmium stress in gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflora L.) by application of potassium and silicon

Gladiolus corms were grown in media contaminated with cadmium (Cd) (50 mg kg^?1) and supplemented with silicon (Si) and potassium (K). The role of Si and K for mitigation of Cd toxicity was evaluated. Cd-induced stress generated significantly increased level of oxidative stress markers including hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in gladiolus. The application of K and Si improved the production of protein and proline in the treated plants. Moreover, K and Si supplemented plants exhibited an improvement in the activity of antioxidant enzymes and a reduction in the level of MDA, H₂O₂ and Cd uptake under Cd stress. Application of K and Si also enhanced the uptake of mineral nutrients including calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), sulfur (S) and K. The plants supplemented with K and Si exhibited a higher amount of total phenolics and flavonoids. The combined effect of Si and K was more pronounced regarding beneficial effects on gladiolus plants compared to individual effect of these elements under Cd stress. The current research reveals that Si and K may improve gladiolus growth by decreasing the oxidative stress and Cd uptake and by increasing the activity of antioxidant defense enzymes, the quantity of secondary metabolites and plant nutrition.