PAID ACCESS | Published on : 28-Jan-2025 | Pages: 7-15 | Doi : 10.37446/edibook242025/7-15
Heavy metal toxicity is a significant environmental concern that affects plant growth, productivity and ecosystem health. Heavy metals, such as cadmium, lead and mercury can accumulate in plant tissues, disrupting physiological and biochemical processes, and ultimately leading to reduced yields and decreased plant survival. This chapter aims to provide a collective overview of the sources, mechanisms and consequences of heavy metal toxicity in plants. We analyse the various tolerance mechanisms employed by plants to manage with heavy metal stress, including root exclusion, shoot exclusion, metal detoxification and antioxidant defence mechanism. Additionally, we explore improvement approaches to enhance plant tolerance to heavy metals, including phytoremediation strategies, genetic engineering, biochemical amendments, phyto-siderophores, microbial remediation, and cultural practices. Understanding the complex interactions between plants and heavy metals is crucial for developing sustainable solutions to overcome the adverse effects of heavy metal toxicity on the environmental and human health.
Heavy metal toxicity, Plant tolerance, Phytoremediation, Genetic engineering, Antioxidant defence, Sustainable agriculture
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