A comprehensive review of adaptations in plants under arsenic toxicity: Physiological, metabolic and molecular interventions. (1st December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nabi, Aarifa; Naeem, M.; Aftab, Tariq; Khan, M. Masroor A.; Ahmad, Parvaiz
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 290(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-12-01
• Subjects: Abiotic stress -- Arsenic toxicity -- Signaling pathways -- Crosstalk -- Uptake -- Plant growth; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118029
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: Arsenic (As) is recognized as a toxic metalloid and a severe threat to biodiversity due to its contamination. Soil and groundwater contamination with this metalloid has become a major concern. Large fractions of cultivable lands are becoming infertile gradually due to the irrigation of As contaminated water released from various sources. The toxicity of As causes the generation of free radicals, which are harmful to cellular metabolism and functions of plants. It alters the growth, metabolic, physiological, and molecular functions of the plants due to oxidative burst. Plants employ different signaling mechanisms to face the As toxicity like phosphate cascade, MAPK (Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase), Ca-calmodulin, hormones, and ROS-signaling. The toxicity of As may significantly be reduced through various remediation techniques. Among them, the microbial-assisted remediation technique is cost-effective and eco-friendly. It breaks down the metalloid into less harmful species through various processes viz. biovolatilization, biomethylation, and transformation. Moreover, the adaptation strategies towards As toxicity are vacuolar sequestration, involvement of plant defense mechanism, and restricting its uptake from plant roots to above-ground parts. The speciation, uptake, transport, metabolism, ion dynamics, signaling pathways, crosstalk with phytohormones and gaseous molecules, as well as harmful impacts of the As on physiological processes, overall development of plants and remediation techniques are summarized in this review. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Arsenic toxicity is the major threat to productivity of agricultural crops. Arsenic alters the morphological, physiological and molecular functions in plants. Different soil factors are responsible for reducing the As bioavailability and absorption by plant roots. Microbial-assisted detoxification mechanisms significantly impact the various As species in plants. Processes involved in As adaptation are vacoular sequestration, hyperaccumulation, and bioremediation.