Zinc in soil-plant-human system: A data-analysis review

Area of Science:

• Plant Science
• Environmental Science
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Zinc (Zn) is crucial for plant physiology, acting as an enzyme cofactor.
• Both Zn deficiency and toxicity significantly impact plant metabolic processes.
• Excessive Zn can lead to oxidative damage and alter plant biophysicochemical functions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically review recent literature on zinc's role in soil-plant interactions.
• To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of zinc uptake, distribution, and essential functions in plants.
• To compare the effects of zinc deficiency, essentiality, and toxicity on plant physiology and detoxification.

Main Methods:

• Data-analysis review of recent scientific literature.
• Synthesis of information on soil zinc mobility, plant uptake, and distribution.
• Comparative analysis of zinc's biochemical roles, deficiency, toxicity, and detoxification pathways.

Main Results:

• Zinc's dual role as essential nutrient and toxicant is highlighted.
• Mechanisms of zinc phytoavailability, phytouptake, and translocation are detailed.
• Plant responses to zinc deficiency, optimal levels, and toxicity, including detoxification strategies, are summarized.

Conclusions:

• Understanding zinc's complex interactions in the soil-plant system is vital.
• Further research is recommended to explore specific zinc-related bio-geo-physicochemical processes.
• This review provides a comprehensive overview of current knowledge on zinc in agriculture and environmental contexts.