Summary
This narrative review synthesises current understanding of how heavy metals — including cadmium, lead, arsenic, and chromium — disrupt plant physiological and biochemical processes, including nutrient uptake, photosynthesis, and oxidative balance. It likely covers both the molecular mechanisms underpinning metal toxicity and a range of coping and remediation strategies, such as phytoremediation, biochar application, microbial inoculants, and genetic approaches. The review provides a consolidated reference for researchers and practitioners seeking evidence-based interventions to manage heavy metal stress in agricultural systems.
UK applicability
Although the review is international in scope, its findings are broadly applicable to UK agricultural contexts, particularly given regulatory concern over cadmium accumulation in arable soils from phosphate fertilisers and historical industrial contamination; UK farmers and policymakers may draw on the remediation strategies reviewed when addressing soil metal burdens under the Environment Act 2021 and soil health frameworks.
Key measures
Heavy metal accumulation in plant tissues; phytotoxicity thresholds; remediation efficiency; oxidative stress markers; antioxidant enzyme activity
Outcomes reported
The review examines the mechanisms by which heavy metals cause phytotoxicity and evaluates a range of biological, chemical, and agronomic strategies for remediating heavy metal contamination in agricultural soils and plants.
Topic tags
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