EFFICIENCY OF ELECTROKINETIC REMEDIATION IN REDUCING CADMIUM TOXICITY AND RESTORING ANTIOXIDANT PROTECTION AND PHYSIOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT IN Triticum aestivum L.

This study investigated the effects of electrokinetic remediation on the growth and physiological welfare of wheat (Triticum aestivum L., variety "Neelum") following soil contamination with Cadmium nitrate at 60 and 120 mg kg⁻¹ soil. The non-remediated control was used to assess two different DC voltages (7V and 14V). A 3 × 3 factorial completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications was used. The result of this study demonstrated that Cadmium pollution significantly delayed plant growth, leading to an apparent decay in fresh weight, dry biomass, and root length. The three antioxidant enzyme activities, such as Superoxide Dismutase, Peroxidase, and Catalase, indicate severe oxidative stress with an abrupt increase in response to high Cadmium concentrations, while photosynthetic pigments (Chlorophyll a, b, and carotenoids) declined. Cd2+ and NO-3 ions migrated more easily when EKR was applied through electromigration and electroosmotic flow; the 14 V treatment (EKR-4) was more effective at mobilizing pollutants than the 7V treatment (EKR-3). Root length decreased by 42% at 120 mg Cd compared to control, while fresh and dry weights showed reductions of 38% and 45%, respectively. The biomass and pigment levels of wheat plants recovered significantly (P < 0.001) after remediation. Additionally, plants growing in remediated soil showed a significant drop-in antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD decreased by 58%, POD by 47%, and CAT by 52% at 14V compared to the non-remediated control), suggesting that the bioavailable toxic burden had been successfully reduced. These results imply that 14 V electrokinetic therapy is a successful method for recovering clayey loam soils contaminated with heavy metals, reducing phytotoxicity, and reestablishing crop growth under the specific experimental conditions of this study.