Role of Metal Abiotic Stress in The Generation of Oxidative Stress in Plants

The current review highlights the critical aspect of the necessity and toxicity of Hydrogen Peroxide (H₂O₂) production in plants under abiotic stress (metal contamination). Pollution of metals in soils, air, underground water, water of irrigation, small and significant running streams, and sediments is one of the severe issues related to the consequences of the advancement of the world. The levels of these metals have been considerably exceeded nowadays through urbanization and industrial discharge. Therefore, understanding the impact of metal on the production of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) as one of the critical signaling molecules of the metabolic pathway was considered. In the olden days, H₂O₂ was considered a toxic compound, causing oxidative injuries in the plants as it causes the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS.) on dissociation, including; superoxide (O₂*), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and the hydroxyl radical (• O.H.) but their role as signaling molecules gained interest over the last decade.