Heavy Metal Stress and Plant Metabolism: Physiological Insights and Mitigation Approaches
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59436/jsiane.v6i2.14.2583-2093Keywords:
Heavy Metal, Stress , Plant Metabolism, Physiological Insights, Mitigation ApproachesAbstract
Heavy metal contamination poses a serious threat to agricultural productivity and ecosystem health due to its persistence, bioaccumulation and toxicity. Excessive accumulation of metals such as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As) and chromium (Cr) disrupts plant growth and metabolism by inducing oxidative stress, impairing photosynthesis, altering nutrient uptake and disturbing cellular homeostasis. Heavy metal stress also affects enzyme activity, secondary metabolism, carbon and nitrogen metabolism resulting in reduced plant productivity. Plants employ various defense mechanisms to cope with metal toxicity including antioxidant activation, synthesis of metal-chelating compounds, osmolyte accumulation and intracellular sequestration of toxic ions. In addition, several mitigation approaches such as phytohormone application, soil amendments, microbial interventions, molecular breeding and other biotechnological strategies have also been explored to enhance plant tolerance. This review summarizes the effects of heavy metals on plant physiology and metabolism and highlights current strategies for alleviating heavy metal toxicity. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for developing sustainable approaches to improve crop performance in contaminated environments.
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