Chromium Stress in Plants: Toxicity, Tolerance and Phytoremediation

Dipali Srivastava, Madhu Tiwari, Prasanna Dutta, Puja Singh, Khushboo Chawda, Monica Kumari and Debasis Chakrabarty
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Dipali Srivastava: Biotechnology and Molecular Biology Division, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow 226001, India
Madhu Tiwari: Biotechnology and Molecular Biology Division, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow 226001, India
Prasanna Dutta: Biotechnology and Molecular Biology Division, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow 226001, India
Puja Singh: Biotechnology and Molecular Biology Division, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow 226001, India
Khushboo Chawda: Biotechnology and Molecular Biology Division, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow 226001, India
Monica Kumari: Biotechnology and Molecular Biology Division, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow 226001, India
Debasis Chakrabarty: Biotechnology and Molecular Biology Division, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow 226001, India

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 9, 1-20

Abstract: Extensive industrial activities resulted in an increase in chromium (Cr) contamination in the environment. The toxicity of Cr severely affects plant growth and development. Cr is also recognized as a human carcinogen that enters the human body via inhalation or by consuming Cr-contaminated food products. Taking consideration of Cr enrichment in the environment and its toxic effects, US Environmental Protection Agency and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry listed Cr as a priority pollutant. In nature, Cr exists in various valence states, including Cr(III) and Cr(VI). Cr(VI) is the most toxic and persistent form in soil. Plants uptake Cr through various transporters such as phosphate and sulfate transporters. Cr exerts its effect by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and hampering various metabolic and physiological pathways. Studies on genetic and transcriptional regulation of plants have shown the various detoxification genes get up-regulated and confer tolerance in plants under Cr stress. In recent years, the ability of the plant to withstand Cr toxicity by accumulating Cr inside the plant has been recognized as one of the promising bioremediation methods for the Cr contaminated region. This review summarized the Cr occurrence and toxicity in plants, role of detoxification genes in Cr stress response, and various plants utilized for phytoremediation in Cr-contaminated regions.

Keywords: chromium (Cr); detoxification; phytoremediation; phytotoxicity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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