Soil cadmium enrichment: Allocation and plant physiological manifestations

Saudi J Biol Sci. 2013 Jan;20(1):1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2012.11.004. Epub 2012 Nov 17.

Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) in soil is enriched through several leaky management agricultural practices and natural resources. Cd enriched soil is inevitable cause of nutritional stress besides Cd induced toxicity symptoms and physiological malfunctions. Redox signals shift toward oxidative stress which accelerates cellular damage and elicits defense mechanism at the cost of growth. Plants get enriched with this toxic, abundant and undesirable element through 'mineral uptake system' non-specifically. Different components and pathways have been marked cooperating in cellular sequestration and systemic localization of Cd, escaped from avoidance and efflux. Cd induced metabolic alteration led to electron leakage as ROS, reduced photosynthesis and carbon fixation. Compromised primary metabolism negatively feedbacks the plant growth, result into loss of potential crop yield.

Keywords: Cadmium; Nutrient-signaling; Responses; Sequestration; Transport; Uptake.