title: Lead toxicity in rice: effects, mechanisms, and mitigation strategies--a mini review.
abstract: Lead (Pb) is a major environmental pollutant that affects plant morpho-physiological and biochemical attributes. Its higher levels in the environment are not only toxic to human beings but also harmful for plants and soil microbes. We have reviewed the uptake, translocation, and accumulation mechanisms of Pb and its toxic effects on germination, growth, yield, nutrient relation, photosynthesis, respiration, oxidative damage, and antioxidant defense system of rice. Lead toxicity hampers rice germination, root/shoot length, growth, and final yield. It reduces nutrient uptake through roots, disrupts chloroplastic ultrastructure and cell membrane permeability, induces alterations in leaves respiratory activities, produces reactive oxygen species (ROS), and triggers some enzyme and non-enzymatic antioxidants (as defense to oxidative damage). In the end, biochar amendments and phytoremediation technologies have been proposed as soil remediation approaches for Pb tainted soils.
authors.affiliation: Department of Crop science and Technology, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China.|Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Crop cultivation in South China, Ministry of Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Umair
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ashraf
authors.affiliation: Department of Crop science and Technology, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China.|Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Crop cultivation in South China, Ministry of Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Adam Sheka
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Kanu
authors.affiliation: Department of Crop science and Technology, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China.|Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Crop cultivation in South China, Ministry of Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Zhaowen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mo
authors.affiliation: College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Saddam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hussain
authors.affiliation: Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38040, Punjab, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Shakeel Ahmad
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Anjum
authors.affiliation: Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38040, Punjab, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Imran
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38040, Punjab, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Rana Nadeem
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Abbas
authors.affiliation: Department of Crop science and Technology, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China. tangxr@scau.edu.cn.|Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Crop cultivation in South China, Ministry of Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, People's Republic of China. tangxr@scau.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Xiangru
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D018525:Germination / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D012275:Oryza / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D007854:Lead
keywords: Biochar; Lead; Photosynthesis; Phytoremediation; Respiration; Rice