sustainability Review Chromium Stress in Plants: Toxicity, Tolerance and Phytoremediation Dipali Srivastava 1,†, Madhu Tiwari 1,†, Prasanna Dutta 1,2, Puja Singh 1,2, Khushboo Chawda 1,2, Monica Kumari 1,2 and Debasis Chakrabarty 1,2,* 1 Biotechnology and Molecular Biology Division, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow 226001, India;
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[email protected] † These authors contributed equally to this work. Abstract: Extensive industrial activities resulted in an increase in chromium (Cr) contamination in the environment. The toxicity of Cr severely affects plant growth and development. Cr is also recognized as a human carcinogen that enters the human body via inhalation or by consuming Cr-contaminated food products. Taking consideration of Cr enrichment in the environment and its toxic effects, US Environmental Protection Agency and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry listed Cr as a priority pollutant. In nature, Cr exists in various valence states, including Cr(III) and Cr(VI). Cr(VI) is the most toxic and persistent form in soil. Plants uptake Cr through various transporters such as phosphate and sulfate transporters. Cr exerts its effect by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and hampering various metabolic and physiological pathways. Studies Citation: Srivastava, D.; Tiwari, M.; on genetic and transcriptional regulation of plants have shown the various detoxification genes get Dutta, P.; Singh, P.; Chawda, K.; up-regulated and confer tolerance in plants under Cr stress.