Heavy metal contamination of the environment is increasing alarmingly due to increased anthropogenic activities. Among the various heavy metals, cadmium is a highly toxic heavy metal requiring urgent removal from soil. Strobilanthes alternata, a herbaceous terrestrial plant, has been reported to be an excellent plant for Cd phytostabilization. The present study investigated the effect of 25 ppm of 6-Benzylaminopurine (6-BAP) foliar sprays on the modulation of the physiological responses and elemental constitution in S. alternata grown in 250 mg/kg CdCl2 treated soil. The administration of 6-BAP effectively relieved the toxic effects of Cd by enhancing the total soluble sugar and alkaloid content of leaves by 56 and 250%, respectively, the total soluble protein content of roots by 27%, the phenolic content of roots and leaves by 9 and 10% respectively, and flavonoid content of roots and leaves by 53 and 6% respectively, in Cd-stressed S. alternata. Moreover, the 6-BAP-induced elevation of the thiol content of roots indicated amplified sequestration of Cd, thereby inflicting less damage to the aboveground portions of Cd + 6-BAP-treated plants. This inference was confirmed by SEM-EDX analysis, which revealed high Cd weight percentages in the roots of Cd + 6-BAP-treated plants. The ionomics and CHNS analysis confirmed that 6-BAP ascribable alterations in the elemental content and distribution helped the plant tolerate the adverse effects of Cd in S. alternata. Thus, the 6-BAP treatment could be used as a suitable and ecologically acceptable amendment to reduce Cd-induced damage and enhance the Cd phytostabilization potential in S. alternata.

Alkaline stress imposes significant constraints on agriculture by reducing nutrient availability and inhibiting plant growth. This study examines the physiological and biochemical responses of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) seedlings to alkaline stress, with implications for improving crop resilience. Chickpea seedlings were subjected to combined Na2CO3 and NaHCO3 treatments, and changes in growth, root morphology, and nutrient uptake were evaluated. Alkaline stress led to substantial reductions in growth metrics (shoot and root length, fresh and dry weights), root-to-shoot ratio, and lateral root number, indicating pronounced root damage. This damage was associated with elevated hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels, increased membrane damage, and reduced cell viability. In response to alkaline stress, chickpea roots accumulated osmolytes (proline, soluble sugars) and upregulated antioxidant enzymes (catalase, ascorbate peroxidase) as an adaptive response to mitigate osmotic and oxidative stress. Ion homeostasis was disrupted, with decreased uptake of essential nutrients like K, P, Mn, Fe, and Zn, while the uptake of Na, Mg, and Ca increased, disturbing nutrient balance. These findings underscore the need for strategies, such as genetic improvement to enhance alkaline stress tolerance in chickpea, contributing to improved crop performance in challenging soil conditions.