Role of Nitrogen and Sulfur in Mitigating Cadmium induced Metabolism Alterations in Plants

By : Khalid Z. Masoodi, Abbu Zaid, Javaid A. Bhat, Shabir H. Wani

Page No: 121-141

Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) is among one of the highly toxic heavy metals, which has deleterious impacts on agricultural productivity. Currently, several sustainable strategies are being used to attenuate Cd[1]stress tolerance at cellular, molecular as well as whole plant levels. Nitrogen (N) and sulphur (S) assimilation pathways have been shown to play important roles in Cd detoxification by improving the physiology of plants. The N and S assimilation is required in various biosynthetic pathways involved in stress tolerance and mobilization of adaptive mechanisms of plants, and both N and S act to maintain an elevated pool of plant metabolites. In this review, we discuss the impact of Cd stress and its mitigation by deciphering the close coordination of N and S in efficiently alleviating Cd induced altered metabolism of plants, which is critical for the development of plant-based strategies for the remediation of Cd contaminated agricultural soils and increasing crop productivity and safety. Our review also focuses on the interactive roles of N, S and principal metabolites in enhancing Cd stress tolerance of plants. Mobilization of plant’s defense mechanisms (metabolites and antioxidants) against Cd stress through the interplay of N and S metabolism is apprehensively reviewed. This may unravels new biotechnological opportunities in modulating N and S metabolism for improving plant tolerance to Cd in particular, thereby benefitting sustainable crop production in the era of climate change.

Authors :
Abbu Zaid : : Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Section, Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India.
Javaid A. Bhat : School of Biotechnology, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, Chatha, India.
Shabir H. Wani : Mountain Research Centre for Field Crops, Khudwani Anantnag-192101, Sher-e-Kashmir, University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
Khalid Z. Masoodi : Transcriptomics Laboratory, Division of Plant Biotechnology, SKUAST-Kashmir, Shalimar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190025, India.
 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32381/JPSR.2019.35.01.11