Combinational supplements of organic amendments alleviate copper-induced stress in Withania coagulans (Dunal)

Heavy metal contamination in the whole biosphere, especially in soil, is accountable for most of the adverse consequences influencing the prosperity of fauna and flora. A pot experiment was designed to investigate the effects of Copper (Cu) with and without combinational supplements of organic amendments (OAs) [cow dung citric acid and amino acid (L-glutamine)] on various physiological and biochemical parameters of Withania coagulans. The peat moss soil was treated with two concentrations of Cu [  and  (10mM, 15mM)] alone and/or with organic amendments [cow dung (10g, 15g), citric acid (05mM, 10mM), and amino acid (05mM, 10mM)]. After four weeks, the results revealed that a higher concentration of Cu significantly reduced the plant agronomic traits by 31% (Number of leaves), 17% (Shoot length), 24% (Root length), 19% (Fresh weight), and 35% (Dry weight), whereas photosynthetic pigments by 34% carotenoids, 33% chlorophyll a (chl a), and 16% chlorophyll b (chl b) compared to control. Moreover, it was noticed that the combination of organic amendments alleviates the negative effects of a higher concentration of Cu on agronomic traits and photosynthetic pigments of a tested plant. The additional supplements of organic amendments improved the plant physiology and enhanced the antioxidant enzyme activities to overcome the induced oxidative damage by the higher concentration of copper. Our findings showed that higher doses of Cu had an impact on the agronomic and biochemical characteristics of Withania coagulans, whereas the addition of organic amendments alleviated that impact of Cu.