Molecular Mechanisms and Mitigation Strategies for Heavy Metal Stress Decoding in Crop Plants
A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant–Soil Interactions".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2026 | Viewed by 841
Special Issue Editors
Interests: biotechnology; heavy metals; ionomics; phytobacteriology; phytoremediation; signaling molecules
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Heavy metal contamination of agricultural soil, arising from both natural and anthropogenic activities, poses a severe threat to global food security and ecosystem health. The presence of metals such as cadmium, lead, arsenic, and mercury inhibits crucial plant processes, including seed germination, photosynthetic efficiency, and nutrient uptake, primarily through the induction of oxidative stress and disruption of enzymatic functions. Addressing this challenge requires a deep understanding of plant defense mechanisms at the physiological, biochemical, and molecular level. This Special Issue aims to highlight cutting-edge research that elucidates these intricate tolerance mechanisms: from signaling pathways and gene regulation to metal homeostasis and detoxification. Furthermore, we encourage submissions to explore innovative mitigation strategies designed to bolster crop resilience. This includes advances in genetic engineering, the application of beneficial microorganisms, the use of soil amendments, and the development of priming techniques. We welcome original research, reviews, and short communications that contribute to the development of sustainable solutions for alleviating heavy metal stress in crops, ultimately aiming to ensure food safety and support sustainable agricultural practices in contaminated environments.
Prof. Dr. Marshall Keyster
Dr. Arun Gokul
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- antioxidant defense
- crop plant tolerance
- genetic engineering
- heavy metal stress
- ion homeostasis
- molecular mechanisms
- phytohormone signaling
- phytoremediation
- omics approaches
- oxidative stress
- stress priming
- sustainable agriculture
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