Drip irrigation reduces the toxicity of heavy metals to soybean: By moving heavy metals out of the root zone and improving physiological metabolism

Excessive heavy metal content in soil can seriously hinder plant physiological metabolism and growth. This study, with soybean, examined how drip irrigation reduced heavy metal toxicity. The drip irrigation experiments with four irrigation frequencies were conducted by controlling the lower limit of the soil matric potential (D1: −10 kPa; D2: −20 kPa; D3: −30 kPa; D4: −40 kPa). Through comparison with traditional surface irrigation, the effects of drip irrigation on heavy metal distribution, soybean growth status, physiological metabolism and transcriptome under Cd, Pb and Cr(VI) composite pollution were comprehensively analyzed. The results show that (i) The Cd, Pb and Cr(IV) in soil migrated away from the plant under drip irrigation, thereby reducing the inhibition of heavy metal stress on soybean growth at the root, among which D1 had the best improvement effect on soybean growth. (ii) Drip irrigation improved the resistance of soybean to heavy metal stress, and promoted the transport and fixation of free Cd2+, Pb2+ and Cr6+ in cells, thereby reducing the damage of oxidative stress and heavy metal ions to cell structure. (iii) Drip irrigation was conducive to the energy supply and protein stability of cell physiological metabolism, which helped the improvement of soybean physiological activity. Overall, compared with surface irrigation, drip irrigation reduced the toxicity of heavy metals to soybeans by moving heavy metals out of the root zone and enhancing physiological activity. The results of this study can provide a theoretical basis for the application of drip irrigation technology in the prevention and control of heavy metal pollution, and provide a new strategy for the safe production of agriculture.