The Effect of Citric Acid Concentration on the Physiological Tolerance of Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) Under Cadmium Stress

Nasriyatul Fitriyah, Sunawan Sunawan, Anis Rosyidah

Abstract


Cadmium is a non-essential heavy metal toxic to plants even at low concentrations. Combining Tagetes erecta L. with citric acid as a chelating agent offers a promising phytoremediation approach for Cd-contaminated soils. This study examined the effect of citric acid concentration on physiological tolerance of marigold under cadmium stress and identified the most effective dose. The experiment was conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture greenhouse, Islamic University of Malang, September–December 2025, using a randomized block design with six treatments, three replications: Control (no Cd, no acid), A0 (Cd+0 mM), A1 (Cd+2 mM), A2 (Cd+4 mM), A3 (Cd+6 mM), and A4 (Cd+8 mM), Cd at 100 mg/polybag (20 mg/kg soil). Parameters included plant height, chlorosis score, phytotoxicity index, fresh weight, and translocation factor, analyzed using 5% ANOVA. Citric acid significantly affected all parameters. A0 produced the tallest plants (41 cm) via sublethal Cd hormesis. A4 maintained the highest chlorophyll (66 µg/mL) and most negative phytotoxicity index. A3 produced the highest fresh weight (9.18 g). Highest translocation factors occurred in A1 (3.85%) and A2 (3.92%), with poorer physiological conditions. Citric acid acted biphasically: low doses increased Cd bioavailability without protecting physiology, while high doses effectively chelated Cd, protecting plant function overall

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