# Elevated temperature altered photosynthetic products in wheat seedlings and organic compounds and biological activity in rhizopshere soil under cadmium stress

## TL;DR

Slightly warmer spring temperatures improved wheat seedlings' sugar levels and soil health under cadmium stress, increasing cadmium uptake.

## Contribution

This study reveals how elevated spring temperatures affect wheat and rhizosphere soil under cadmium stress, influencing organic compounds and microbial activity.

## Key findings

- Elevated temperature increased soluble sugars, starch, and total sugars in wheat seedlings under cadmium stress.
- Elevated temperature improved organic compounds and enzyme activity in rhizosphere soil under cadmium stress.
- Warmer temperatures increased microbial abundance and cadmium uptake in wheat seedlings via changes in soil chemistry.

## Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of slightly elevated atmospheric temperature in the spring on photosynthetic products in wheat seedlings and on organic compounds and biological activity in rhizosphere soil under cadmium (Cd) stress. Elevated temperature was associated with increased soluble sugars, reducing sugars, starch, and total sugars, and with decreased amino acids in wheat seedlings under Cd stress. Elevated temperature improved total soluble sugars, free amino acids, soluble phenolic acids, and organic acids in rhizosphere soil under Cd stress. The activity of amylase, phenol oxidase, invertase, β-glucosidase, and l-asparaginase in rhizosphere soil was significantly improved by elevated temperature under Cd stress; while cellulase, neutral phosphatase, and urease activity significantly decreased. Elevated temperature significantly improved bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, and total microorganisms abundance and fluorescein diacetate activity under Cd stress. In conclusion, slightly elevated atmospheric temperature in the spring improved the carbohydrate levels in wheat seedlings and organic compounds and biological activity in rhizosphere soil under Cd stress in the short term. In addition, elevated atmospheric temperature in the spring stimulated available Cd by affecting pH, DOC, phenolic acids, and organic acids in rhizosphere soil, which resulted in the improvement of the Cd uptake by wheat seedlings.