Green Agriculture: Nanoparticles as Tools to Mitigate Heavy Metal Toxicity.

Heavy metals (HMs) are among the most harmful environmental constraints, threatening a wide range of life-forms, including plants. HMs significantly impair plant metabolism by interfering with the function of critical cellular biomolecules and ultimately lead to reduced crop yields. Various strategies were used to overcome the HM toxicity; among this use of nanoparticles (NPs) is a relatively new, effective, and efficient approach than the other conventional techniques. NPs decrease the mobility and bioavailability of HMs in soil, enhancing the proficiency of the apoplastic barrier within plants to restrict HM movement. NPs protect the plants' antioxidant system by increasing the activities of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, collectively enhancing their role as stress mitigators. The current article discusses the role and mechanism of NPs to alleviate HM stress in soil and plants. The various factors affecting the interaction of NPs with HMs and toxicity raised by these materials in environment are also discussed. This article also discusses the future recommendations for utilization of NPs in plants to alleviate HM stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]