Benzoic acid (BA) and Cd exhibit cumulative effects on plants due to their accumulation in the soil. The present study
reports the effects of BA an allelochemical, Cd and their combinations on seed germination, seedling growth, biochemical
parameters, and response of antioxidant enzymes in
Triticum aestivum
L. The experiment was conducted in sand
supplemented with Hoagland nutrient solution. Benzoic acid was applied at concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mM with or
without Cd (7 mg L
-1) to observe effects of allelochemical and Cd alone and in combination on wheat. Both stresses exhibited
inhibitory effect on growth and metabolism of wheat seedlings. The allelochemical in single and combined treatments
with Cd decreased seedling growth as compared to Cd stress. The two stresses significantly enhanced malondialdehyde
content of wheat seedlings. The activity of other antioxidant enzymes, viz. superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT),
ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and guaiacol peroxidase (POX) were also recorded. SOD increased in seedlings under the two
stresses. CAT more prominently ameliorates the toxic effects of H
2O
2 as compared with APX and POX and protected wheat
seedlings from oxidative stress. Allelochemical buttressed the toxic effect of Cd on wheat seedlings.
