Innovative Integration of Stress Physiology and Biotechnological Tools for Mitigating Metal Stress in Plants

Metal and metalloid contamination in soils poses significant challenges to plant health and agricultural productivity. These contaminants, originating from industrial activities, mining, and excessive use of fertilizers, can severely disrupt plant physiological processes, affecting growth, photosynthesis, and nutrient uptake. The adaptability and resilience of plants under such extreme conditions, such as serpentine soils, rely on various physiological and biochemical mechanisms. Recent advances in biotechnological tools, including the use of nanoparticles, phytohormones, and beneficial microorganisms, present innovative strategies to enhance plant tolerance and facilitate phytoremediation efforts. Despite these advances, current remediation strategies often fall short in addressing the complexity of metal toxicity, highlighting the need for innovative and sustainable approaches to manage contaminated soils effectively.

This Research Topic aims to integrate insights from stress physiology and biotechnological interventions to develop effective approaches for managing metal toxicity and restoring contaminated soils. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration across plant sciences, soil biology, and environmental engineering, this research seeks to formulate comprehensive strategies to mitigate metal toxicity, enhance plant health, and promote ecological restoration. Central to this endeavor is exploring how recent advancements, such as nanoparticles for detoxification and phytohormone applications, can be utilized in conjunction with traditional methods to overcome the limitations of existing remediation strategies.

To gather further insights in managing metal and metalloid stress in plants, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Physiological and biochemical mechanisms of plant adaptation to metal toxicity

• Innovative biotechnological tools for enhancing plant resilience, including nanoparticles and phytohormones

• The role of beneficial microorganisms in alleviating metal stress and promoting phytoremediation

• Case studies of phytoremediation and phytomining in serpentine and other metal-rich soils.

• Management strategies that reduce metal bioavailability and improve plant health

• Molecular studies focused on enhancing tolerance or phytoextraction, including approaches such as gene editing and epigenetic regulation

We welcome original research articles, reviews, and perspective papers that provide novel insights and practical applications in this field. Manuscripts should emphasize integrative approaches, combining experimental findings with theoretical perspectives to develop effective strategies for managing metal toxicity in plants and soils.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: Metal toxicity, Soil contamination, Plant adaptation, Resilience mechanisms, Metal stress management, Phytoremidiation, Phytomining, Ecological restoration

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.