A Review on Effects of Heavy Metal Toxicity on Plant Growth

Srinivas J., Purushotham A. V., Potsangbam Kumar Singh

Abstract: Heavy metals are elements that are naturally present in the environment. Rapid industrialization and urbanization processes has led to the incorporation of pollutants such as pesticides, petroleum products, acids and heavy metals in the natural resources like soil, water and air thus degrading not only the quality of the environment, but also affecting both plants and animals. In this review, we have summarized the adverse effect of heavy metals that alter plants, affects and growth of plants. The water / Soils pollution with heavy metals have become common across the globe due to increase in geologic and anthropogenic activities. Plants growing on these water / soils show a reduction in growth, performance, and yield. Bioremediation is an effective method of treating heavy metal polluted soils. There are few suggestions, recommendations and future prospects has recommended.

Keywords: Contamination, Environmental Pollution, Heavy metals, Heavy metal contamination and Pollution