Phytotoxicity remediation in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivated in Cadmium- contaminated soil by intercropping design

Intercropping of suitable plant species has great value for the remediation of heavy metals-contaminated soils. The objective of the present study is to fix the problem of cadmium-contaminated soil by a fenugreek-wheat intercropping system. A pot experiment was managed to investigate the effect of wheat-fenugreek intercropping on growth, antioxidant activities and cadmium accumulation characteristics of tested plants grown under four cadmium concentrations (0, 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg soil). Intercropping of fenugreek with wheat significantly improved growth of both species as compared with monocropping plants. Meanwhile, the cadmium concentrations in the shoots and roots of wheat in the intercropping design were significantly (p <0.05) lower than those in the monoculture. Additionally, fenugreek-wheat intercropping can improve plant resistance to heavy metals by decreasing the oxidative damage and increasing the antioxidant activities.