Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42511536›Full record

ReviewInternational journal of molecular sciences2026

Heavy Metals in Agriculture: Sources, Industrial Applications, Plant Toxicity, and Remediation Approaches.

Muhammad Musa Khan, Baoli Qiu, Zengrong Zhu

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in International journal of molecular sciences, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Muhammad Musa KhanSeed Engineering and Plant Quarantine, Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City, Sanya 572000, China.ORCID 0000-0003-0047-1075
Baoli QiuEngineering Research Centre of Biotechnology for Active Substances, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing 401331, China.ORCID 0000-0002-0094-5368
Zengrong ZhuSeed Engineering and Plant Quarantine, Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City, Sanya 572000, China.ORCID 0000-0002-3247-1486

Funding

Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University 0211-6602-A12202National Natural Science Foundation of China W2533085Sanya Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City SCKJ-JYRC-2023-61
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Heavy metal pollution has become a critical concern in agricultural ecosystems driven by a complex matrix of industrial practices, high-input fertilizers, metal-based agrochemicals, and wastewater irrigation. While the previous literature typically highlights general physiological symptoms of heavy metal stress, this review provides a novel, comprehensive framework that bridges three independent pillars: specific industrial applications dictating elemental pathway, localizes active root-zone transport kinetics, and an engineering-based evaluation of emerging remediation strategies. We systematically synthesized literature from 2000 to 2026 across major databases (WoS, PubMed and Google Scholar), applying strict inclusion criteria based on data validation, experimental reproducibility, and mechanistic depth. We examine the geochemical behavior, cellular toxicity, and plant resilience mechanics of seven priority elements like cadmium, lead, arsenic, aluminum, mercury, chromium and molybdenum. Rather than merely reiterating superficial visual damage like chlorosis or stunted growth, we focus on physiological and molecular root causes of phytotoxicity, including the structural hijacking of essential nutrient networks, intracellular reduction cascades and organelle-specific oxidative disruption. This review also discussed the discovery of specialized, energy-dependent eukaryotic transport mechanisms like ABC transporters and a comparative operational blueprint evaluating physical-chemical conventional remediation techniques against advanced in situ and ex situ biotechnological approaches, including biochar assistance, microbial engineering, rhizosphere synergies, and engineered nanomaterials. By systematically linking industrial source dynamics with cellular toxicological mechanisms and field-scale engineering feasibility, this review establishes an actionable roadmap for future genetic, agronomic, and management interventions aimed at securing global food.

Indexed as

AgricultureEnvironmental Restoration and RemediationMetals, HeavyPlantsSoil PollutantsBiodegradation, EnvironmentalMetals, HeavySoil Pollutantsabiotic stressagro-ecosystemenvironmental toxicityheavy metalsphytoremediation

Identifiers

PMID42511536
PMCPMC13410266

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.