Insights into the Mechanisms Involved in Lead (Pb) Tolerance in Invasive Plants—The Current Status of Understanding

Abstract

Invasive plant species possess remarkable abilities to establish themselves in new environments and to displace native species. Their success can be attributed to various physiological and biochemical mechanisms, allowing them to tolerate adverse environmental conditions, including high lead (Pb) toxicity. Comprehension of the mechanisms responsible for Pb tolerance in invasive plants is still limited, but it is rapidly evolving. Researchers have identified several strategies in invasive plants to tolerate high levels of Pb. This review provides an overview of the current understanding of the ability of invasive species to tolerate or even accumulate Pb in plant tissues, including vacuoles and cell walls, as well as how rhizosphere biota (bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi) help them to enhance Pb tolerance in polluted soils. Furthermore, the article highlights the physiological and molecular mechanisms regulating plant responses to Pb stress. The potential applications of these mechanisms in developing strategies for remediating Pb-contaminated soils are also discussed. Specifically, this review article provides a comprehensive understanding of the current status of research on the mechanisms involved in Pb tolerance in invasive plants. The information presented in this article may be useful in developing effective strategies for managing Pb-contaminated soils, as well as for developing more resilient crops in the face of environmental stressors.

Lead toxicity in plants: mechanistic insights into toxicity, physiological responses of plants and mitigation strategies

“… 57 The understanding of the mechanism involved behind Pb absorption and its retention in the plant is very important as thus will help in developing interventions to reduce its harmful effects on ecosystems and food security. 58 The entry of Pb in plants occurs through root absorption and foliar uptake, which further undergo chemical interactions within the plant that affect its dispersion and toxicity. 36 Accumulation of Pb in edible parts of the plant poses a significant risk to human health, which may lead to neurological disorders and developmental abnormalities in the long term.…”

Coastal Wetland Species Rumex hydrolapathum: Tolerance against Flooding, Salinity, and Heavy Metals for Its Potential Use in Phytoremediation and Environmental Restoration Technologies

“…Plant responses to heavy metals at different levels of functional organization as well as mechanisms of tolerance have been subjects of extensive studies in previous decades. Different physiological aspects of the effects of heavy metals have been reviewed recently, including those for Cd [40], Cr [41], Ni [42], and Pb [43], and readers are requested to refer to these sources for further information.…”

Transformation of vegetation under the conditions of the impact of military actions on the natural environment in Ukraine: A review

“…Така властивість ендогенних хелаторів пов'язана із наявністю у структурі сайтів зв'язування із донорними атомами. Хелатори у рослин утворюються за різними шляхами біосинтезу, тому залежно від хімічної структури вони належать до різних класів (глутатіон, фітохелатини, металотіонеїни, органічні кислоти, нікотинамін, амінокислоти, фенольні сполуки) (Fedenko et al, 2022;Afzal et al, 2023). Рослинні хелатори, окрім хелатуючої здатності, також проявляють інші захисні властивості як антиоксиданти, осмоліти, метаболіти для детоксикації активних форм кисню (АФК).…”