17 - Piriformospora indica (Serendipita indica): potential tool for alleviation of heavy metal toxicity in plants

Abstract

Heavy metals are one of the major causes of environmental pollution, which has been increasing rapidly due to anthropogenic activities. It has become a matter of concern for human beings themselves. Higher acquisition of heavy metals affects crop productivity and quality. Plant’s ability to absorb the metals from the soil is determined by the physiological and biochemical pathways. Plants accumulate heavy metals from the soil through their roots and transport and deposit them in several tissues based on their affinity to the metal. The heavy metal uptake by the roots is decided by the availability of metal in the soil, while excessive metal uptake affects plant development. The toxicity of heavy metal causes a greater accumulation of reactive oxygen species, which further affects several developmental processes and ultimately led to plant growth reduction. To efficiently mitigate the toxicity of heavy metals, various approaches are being utilized to regain plant growth and development. Among them, plant growth-promoting microorganisms have also been utilized to improve agriculture productivity and performance of phytoremediation of heavy metals contaminated soils through various processes involving plant hormone production and biological nitrogen fixation. Owing to unique physiochemical properties, Piriformospora indica provides an efficient way to enhance plant tolerance by regulating gene expression under heavy metals stress. P. indica reduces the toxicity of heavy metals and modulates the metabolic rate, nutrient uptake, and morphophysiological and biochemical activities of the plant. This chapter summarizes numerous strategies involved in the mitigation of toxicity of heavy metals. In addition, we enlightened the potential of P. indica in diminishing the toxicity of heavy metals in the plant.