Phytoremediation enhanced by electrokinetic has been considered as a potential technology for remediating contaminated soils. However, the effects of electric fields on Cd accumulation and photosynthesis in Zea mays (as a cathode) is still unclear. In the present study, Zea mays seedlings were exposed to various doses of Cd²⁺ (10, 50, 100 μM) to explore the impact of electric fields on Cd accumulation and photosynthesis of Zea mays. Results showed that upon exposure to a concentration of 100 μM Cd, electric fields significantly altered the Cd contents in maize shoots, whereas the concentration of 50 μM Cd increased the Cd contents in maize roots as well as affected the Cd transport from roots to shoots. Uptake index (UI) increased by 1.34%–66.16% with the application of electric fields. The variation of photosynthetic rates attributed to the open or closure of stoma was similar to the change of shoot fresh weight, particularly in maize exposed to high Cd stress. This study proposes a new technology in Cd phytoremediation and provides important information on physiological processes in maize when exposed to Cd stress and electric fields.

通过电动来增强植物修复被认为是修复污染土壤的一种潜在技术。但是，电场对玉米（作为阴极）中Cd积累和光合作用的影响仍不清楚。在本研究中，玉米种子的幼苗暴露于不同剂量的Cd ²⁺（10、50、100μM）中，以探讨电场对玉米种子中Cd积累和光合作用的影响。结果表明，暴露于100μMCd浓度的电场会显着改变玉米芽中Cd的含量，而50μMCd浓度会增加玉米根中Cd的含量，并影响Cd从根部向芽的迁移。电场作用下，吸收指数（UI）增加了1.34％–66.16％。气孔打开或关闭引起的光合作用速率的变化与茎鲜重的变化相似，尤其是在暴露于高镉胁迫下的玉米。这项研究提出了一种镉修复植物的新技术，并为暴露于镉胁迫和电场的玉米生理过程提供了重要信息。