Catalase and peroxidase activity in response to cadmium contamination in maize (Zea mays) inoculated with AM fungi and Pseudomonas

Abstract

Heavy metal Cadmium (Cd2+) tolerating AMF Arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungi Glomus sp. (AM1) and a bacteria Pseudomonas sp. (PS1) both were isolated from cadmium contaminated area of Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu. Isolates along with two standard cultures G. mosseae (AMs) and Pseudomonas putida (PSs) in single and combinations were used for green house study in Cd spiked soil at varying levels i.e., (0, 75 and 125 ppm). Phytochemical changes in the maize plants were studied on 30 and 60 DAS. Anti-oxidant enzymes viz., catalase and peroxidase were estimated in all the treatments. The treatment T6 is the combination of Glomus sp. (AM1) and Pseudomonas sp. (PS1) inoculated plants had recorded the highest catalase activity in shoot (6.49 H2O2µg/g/min) and root (6.82 H2O2µg/g/min), peroxidise activity in shoot (6.25 Changes in absorbance min/g) on 30 DAS. The results indicates that the enzyme activity was enhanced when, it was inoculated with microbial consortia.