Cadmium resistance microbes and TiO₂ nanoparticles alleviate cadmium toxicity in wheat

Cadmium toxicity in the soil is an alarming issue, and among innumerable approaches, microbe-facilitated nanoparticle application for alleviation of Cd stress is a well-accepted technique. The present study explored the efficiency of combined TiO₂-NPs and Staphylococcus aureus M1 strains for Cd mitigation in wheat plants. Results depicted that Cd stress attenuates the growth attributes while the collective application of NPs and microbes significantly upsurges the growth attributes as contrasted to Cd treatment. Combined TiO₂-NPs and microbes application increased the total chlorophyll (12), a (10), b (11), and carotenoids (13%) under Cd (50 mg kg^- 1) compared to microbial treatment. MDA (4), H₂O₂ (3), and EL (5%) were significantly down-regulated with combined TiO₂-NPs and microbes application under Cd (50 mg kg^- 1) compared to microbial treatment. CAT (17), SOD (7), POD (8), and APX (29%) were increased with combined TiO₂-NPs and microbes application under Cd (50 mg kg^- 1) comparison to microbial treatment. Cd accumulation in roots (34), shoots (23), and grains (27%) were significantly reduced under Cd (50 mg kg^- 1) with combined TiO₂-NPs and microbes application, contrary to microbial treatment. Subsequently, combined TiO₂-NPs and microbial strains Staphylococcus aureus M1 application is a sustainable solution to boost crop production under Cd stress.