Effect of Heavy Metals on the Morphological and Physiological Responses of the Torro Plus Variant of Zea mays

Authors

  • Mahmoud Oudghiri

    Plant, Animal, and Agro-Industry Production Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra BP. 242, Kenitra 14000, Morocco
  • Boutaina Yamani

    Plant, Animal, and Agro-Industry Production Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra BP. 242, Kenitra 14000, Morocco
  • Noura Benlemlih

    Plant, Animal, and Agro-Industry Production Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra BP. 242, Kenitra 14000, Morocco
  • Safae El Aammouri

    Plant, Animal, and Agro-Industry Production Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra BP. 242, Kenitra 14000, Morocco
  • Nagla Abid

    Plant, Animal, and Agro-Industry Production Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra BP. 242, Kenitra 14000, Morocco
  • Najiba Brhadda

    Plant, Animal, and Agro-Industry Production Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra BP. 242, Kenitra 14000, Morocco
  • Samah Bouhassoun

    Plant, Animal, and Agro-Industry Production Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra BP. 242, Kenitra 14000, Morocco
  • Rabea Ziri

    Plant, Animal, and Agro-Industry Production Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra BP. 242, Kenitra 14000, Morocco
  • Ahmed Chriqui

    Natural Resources and Sustainable Development Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, B.P 242, Kenitra 14000, Morocco
  • Fatima Zahra Aoujil

    Biotechnology, Materials and Environment Team, Faculty of Sciences Agadir, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir 8000 Morocco
  • Mohamed El Bakkali

    1. Biology and Health Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra BP. 242, Kenitra 14000, Morocco; 2. Higher Institute of Nursing and Health Techniques, Kenitra, Morocco
  • Yassine Mouniane

    Natural Resources and Sustainable Development Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, B.P 242, Kenitra 14000, Morocco
  • Mohammed Ibriz

    Plant, Animal, and Agro-Industry Production Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra BP. 242, Kenitra 14000, Morocco

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/jees.v7i4.8208
Received: 25 December 2024 | Revised: 10 January 2025 | Accepted: 5 February 2025 | Published Online: 27 March 2025

Abstract

This study evaluates the impact of heavy metals (zinc, copper and cadmium) on the development and metabolic responses of the maize (Zea mays) variety “Torro Plus”. Seeds were cultivated on MS medium enriched with progressively higher concentrations of heavy metals (50, 100 and 150 μM), and plants were analyzed after 21 days. The results show a significant reduction in morphological parameters, notably an 87.28% decrease in the fresh weight of aerial parts and a 69.93% decrease in the fresh weight of roots under 150 μM of Cd. Chlorophyll a, b and total content also decreased drastically, reaching a maximum reduction of 74.31% under Cd (150 μM). In contrast, secondary metabolites such as proline and flavonoids increased, with a maximum proline accumulation of 0.71 mg/g under Cu (150 μM) and a flavonoid concentration reaching 176.33 mg/g under Cu (100 μM). These results show mechanisms of adaptation to stress, notably the accumulation of flavonoids and proline, while highlighting the increased toxicity of cadmium at high doses. These data are promising for applications in phytoremediation and sustainable agriculture. This study provides important data on the physiological and biochemical responses of plants to heavy metals and opens up prospects for phytoremediation applications.

Keywords:

Zea mays; Heavy Metals; Chlorophyll; Proline; In Vitro

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Oudghiri, M., Yamani, B., Benlemlih, N., El Aammouri , S., Abid, N., Brhadda, N., Samah Bouhassoun, Rabea Ziri, Ahmed Chriqui, Fatima Zahra Aoujil, Mohamed El Bakkali, Yassine Mouniane, & Mohammed Ibriz. (2025). Effect of Heavy Metals on the Morphological and Physiological Responses of the Torro Plus Variant of Zea mays. Journal of Environmental & Earth Sciences, 7(4), 165–179. https://doi.org/10.30564/jees.v7i4.8208

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Vol. 7 , Iss. 4 (April 2025): In Progress

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Copyright © 2025 Mahmoud Oudghiri, Boutaina Yamani, Noura Benlemlih, Safae El Aammouri , Nagla Abid, Najiba Brhadda, Samah Bouhassoun, Rabea Ziri, Ahmed Chriqui, Fatima Zahra Aoujil, Mohamed El Bakkali, Yassine Mouniane, Mohammed Ibriz

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