Fe toxicity in plants: Impacts and remediation

Area of Science:

• Plant Science
• Environmental Science
• Agronomy

Background:

• Iron (Fe) is abundant but can cause severe toxicity in plants, leading to morphological and physiological disorders.
• Fe toxicity affects germination, enzymatic activity, nutrient balance, and chloroplast structure, impacting carbon metabolism and leading to ferroptotic cell death.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the toxic effects of iron on various plant physiological processes and growth.
• To describe iron dynamics in the soil-rhizosphere and evaluate remediation strategies for iron-contaminated soils.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing studies on iron toxicity in plants.
• Discussion of physiological and molecular mechanisms of iron uptake, translocation, and toxicity.
• Analysis of agronomic, genetic, and remediation strategies for managing iron contamination.

Main Results:

• Iron toxicity induces significant damage to plant biomolecules, photosynthetic apparatus, and overall development.
• Agronomic practices, including soil remediation (chemical, nutrient, organic amendments) and genetic approaches, can enhance crop production in contaminated soils.
• Biological strategies like organic amendments, microbes, and phytoremediation are cost-effective and environmentally friendly for soil purification.

Conclusions:

• Understanding iron's physiological and molecular mechanisms is crucial for developing tolerance.
• Integrated approaches combining soil remediation and agronomic practices are essential for improving crop yield and quality in iron-affected environments.
• Biological remediation strategies offer sustainable solutions for iron-contaminated soils.