Cadmium (Cd) contamination in agricultural soils poses a serious threat to crop productivity and food security, necessitating effective mitigation strategies. This study investigates the role of silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) in alleviating Cd-induced stress in maize (Zea mays L.) under controlled greenhouse conditions. Sterilized maize seeds were sown in sand-filled pots and treated with varying SiNP concentrations (0%, 0.75%, 1.5%, 3%, and 6%) with or without Cd (30 ppm). Physiological, biochemical, and antioxidant parameters were analyzed to assess plant responses. Results demonstrated that SiNPs significantly enhanced photosynthetic pigment concentrations, with chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b, and carotenoids increasing by 45%, 35%, and 50%, respectively, in the 6% SiNP + 30 ppm Cd treatment. Biochemical analyses revealed improved osmotic adjustment, as indicated by higher soluble protein (6.52 mg/g FW) and proline (314.43 mu mol/g FW) levels. Antioxidant enzyme activities, including superoxide dismutase, catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase, were markedly higher in SiNP-treated plants, mitigating oxidative damage. Additionally, SiNPs reduced Cd accumulation in plant tissues, suggesting a protective role in limiting metal toxicity. These findings highlight SiNPs as a promising approach for enhancing maize resilience against Cd stress, with potential applications in sustainable agriculture for improving crop health in contaminated soils.

Plant-beneficial bacteria (PBB) have emerged as a promising approach for assisting phytoremediation of heavy metal (HM)-contaminated soils. However, their colonization efficiency is often challenged by complex soil environments. In this study, we screened one rhizobacterium (Klebsiella variicola Y38) and one endophytic bacterium (Serratia surfactantfaciens Y15) isolated from HM-contaminated soils and plants for their high resistance to Cd and strong growth-promoting abilities. These strains were encapsulated individually or in combination with alginate and applied with Medicago sativa in Cd-contaminated soil pot experiments. The effectiveness of different bacterial formulations in promoting plant growth and enhancing Cd bioconcentration in M. sativa was evaluated. Results showed that PBB application enhanced plant growth and antioxidant capacity while reducing oxidative damage. Encapsulated formulations outperformed unencapsulated ones, with combined formulations yielding superior results to individual applications. Quantitative PCR indicated enhanced PBB colonization in Cdcontaminated soils with alginate encapsulation, potentially explaining the higher efficacy of alginateencapsulated PBB. Additionally, the bacterial agents modified Cd speciation in soils, resulting in increased Cd bioaccumulation in M. sativa by 217-337 %. The alginate-encapsulated mixed bacterial agent demonstrated optimal effectiveness, increasing the Cd transfer coefficient by 3.2-fold. Structural equation modeling and correlation analysis elucidated that K. variicola Y38 promoted Cd bioaccumulation in M. sativa roots by reducing oxidative damage and enhancing root growth, while S. surfactantfaciens Y15 facilitated Cd translocation to shoots, promoting shoot growth. The combined application of these bacteria leveraged the benefits of both strains. These findings contribute to diversifying strategies for effectively and sustainably remediating Cdcontaminated soils, while laying a foundation for future investigations into bacteria-assisted phytoremediation.