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Helianthus annuus is a potential metal accumulator plant, which can find application in cadmium (Cd) phytoremediation and provide economic gains in terms of oil yield. This study is focused on Cd accumulation analysis, physiological and biochemical responses of five varieties of H. annuus (DRSF-108, DRSF-113, LSFH-171, Phule Bhaskar and KBSH-44). Plantlets of all varieties were treated with various Cd concentrations (10, 50, 100, 300 and 500 mg kg−1) for 20, 40 and 60 days. DRSF-108 showed the maximum total Cd accumulation (430.52 mg kg−1) in whole plant while minimum accumulation was observed in KBSH-44 (150.66 mg kg−1) at 500 mg kg−1 Cd after 60 days. The highest level of proline and polyphenol in DRSF-108 were 27.206 µmol g−1 fw and 6.86 mg g−1 fw, respectively. Antioxidant enzymes (catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase) also showed increased activity in response to Cd treatment. SEM-EDX analysis of potential accumulator genotype, DRSF-108, showed the distribution of intracellular Cd into plant tissues. Therefore, it is concluded that among five varieties, DRSF-108 was the most potential Cd accumulator and had a higher capacity for Cd tolerance compared to other varieties. Our findings may allow us to extend variety DRSF-108 for sustainable farming and Cd remediation. Phytoremediation of environmental contaminants is a promising strategy, however, the success depends on the use of suitable plants. Helianthus annuus is a good phytoremediator plant and the use of most promising genotype is desirable. This work evaluated five genotypes of H. annuus for cadmium accumulation and identified the best variety, DRSF-108 that can be used for cadmium remediation. The work shall pave way for field application of sunflower plants in cadmium remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unexpected bioaccumulation and biomagnification of heavy metal(loid)s (HMs) in the environment have become a predicament for all living organisms, including plants. The presence of these HMs in the plant system raised the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and remodeled several vital cellular biomolecules. These lead to several morphological, physiological, metabolic, and molecular aberrations in plants ranging from chlorosis of leaves to the lipid peroxidation of membranes, and degradation of proteins and nucleic acid including the modulation of the enzymatic system, which ultimately affects the plant growth and productivity. Plants are equipped with several mechanisms to counteract the HMs toxicity. Among them, seed priming (SP) technology has been widely tested with the use of several inorganic chemicals, plant growth regulators (PGRs), gasotransmitters, nanoparticles, living organisms, and plant leaf extracts. The use of these compounds has the potential to alleviate the HMs toxicity through the strengthening of the antioxidant defense system, generation of low molecular weight metallothionein's (MTs), and phytochelatins (PCs), and improving seedling vigor during early growth stages. This review presents an account of the sources, uptake and transport, and phytotoxic effects of HMs with special attention to different mechanism/s, occurring to mitigate the HMs toxicity in plants employing SP technology. Novelty statement: To the best of our knowledge, this review has delineated the consequences of HMs on the crucial plant processes, which ultimately affect plant growth and development. This review also compiled the up to dated information on phytotoxicity of HMs through the use of SP technology, this review discussed how different types of SP approaches help in diminishing the concentration HMs in plant systems. Also, we depicted mechanisms, represent how HMs transport and their actions on cellular levels, and emphasized, how diverse SP technology effectiveness in the mitigation of plants' phytotoxicity in unique ways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]