Modulation of Cd carriers by innovative nanocomposite (Ca+Mg) and Cd-resistance microbes (): a mechanistic approach to enhance growth and yield of rice ( L.).

Cadmium (Cd) is a well-known pollutant in agricultural soil, affecting human health through the food chain. To combat this issue, Ca + Mg (25 mg L) nanocomposite and , either alone or combined, were applied to rice plants under Cd (5 mg kg, 10 mg kg) contamination. In our study, growth and yield traits demonstrated the beneficial influence of Ca + Mg and application in improving rice defense mechanism by reducing Cd stress. Combined Ca + Mg and application increased SPAD (15), total chlorophyll (18), chlorophyll a (11), chlorophyll b (22), and carotenoids (21%) with Cd (10 mg kg), compared to the application alone. Combined Ca + Mg and application significantly regulated MDA (15), HO (13), EL (10), and O (24%) in shoots under Cd (10 mg kg), compared to the application alone. Cd (10 mg kg) increased the POD (22), SOD (21), APX (12), and CAT (13%) in shoots with combined Ca + Mg and application, compared to the application alone. Combined Ca + Mg and application significantly reduced Cd accumulation in roots (22), shoots (13), and grains (20%) under Cd (10 mg kg), compared to the application alone. Consequently, the combined application of Ca + Mg and is a sustainable solution to enhance crop production under Cd stress.