heavy-metal-stress

Heavy metal stress refers to the physiological and biochemical damage plants experience when exposed to excessive concentrations of toxic metals such as lead, cadmium, and zinc in their growing environment. This research area is critical for plant science because heavy metal accumulation impairs nutrient uptake, disrupts enzyme function, and induces oxidative stress that reduces crop productivity and threatens food safety. Understanding how plants respond to and tolerate heavy metal stress is essential for developing more resilient crop varieties and exploring phytoremediation strategies for contaminated agricultural lands.