Arsenic contamination in soil and water is a major problem worldwide. Inorganic arsenic is widely present as arsenate and arsenite. Arsenic is transferred to crops through the soil and irrigation water. It is reported to reduce crop production in plants and can cause a wide array of diseases in humans, including different types of cancers, premature delivery, stillbirth, and spontaneous abortion. Arsenic methyltransferase (AS3MT) in the human body converts inorganic arsenic into monomethylarsonic acid and dimethylarsinic acid, which are later excreted from the body. Arsenic transfer from the soil to grains of rice involves different transporters such as Lsi1, Lsi2, and Lsi6. These transporters are also required for the transfer of silicate, which makes them important for the plant. Different mitigation strategies have been used to mitigate arsenic from crops, such as plant growth-promoting bacteria, fungi, and nanoparticles, as well as using different plant genotypes and plant extracts. Different factors such as nitric oxide, Fe, and jasmonate also affect the response of a plant to the oxidative stress caused by arsenic. This review highlights the various effects of arsenic on plants with respect to their biochemical, molecular, and physiological aspects and the employment of classical and innovative methods for their mitigation. The current review is expected to initiate further research to improve As remediation to mitigate the effect of heavy metal pollution on the environment.

Contemporary agricultural practices rely heavily on synthetic fertilizers to provide essential nutrients for crops, contributing to diminished soil fertility and environmental pollution. An innovative solution lies in the strategic combination of nanoparticles and biofertilizers, as a unique and environmentally friendly technology, enhancing soil enzyme activity and the availability of essential plant nutrients. The goal of this study was to show the efficacy of this technology and identify the best combination of nanoparticles and PGPB for plant growth promotion, nutrient uptake, and soil health. This study investigated the efficacy of nanobiofertilizers generated by combining two plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB), (Bacillus sp.) CP4 and AHP3, along with mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MS NPs), zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), and copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) in different combinations. A greenhouse study employing two wheat varieties, NABI MG11 (black wheat) and HD3086, was conducted. There were 15 treatments, including treatments consisting of only bacteria, treatments consisting of the combination of nanoparticles and nanobiofertilizers, and 1 control treatment, and each treatment had three replicates. In evaluating plant growth characteristics, the synergy between ZnO NPs and CP4 demonstrated the most favorable outcomes in terms of overall plant growth and various traits. Similarly, MS NPs, in conjunction with both PGPB, exhibited enhancements in plant growth traits, including fresh weight, chlorophyll content, proline levels, and nitrogen content. Over half of the combination treatments with nanoparticles and PGPB did not show a significant improvement in plant growth promotion traits and soil health when compared to nanoparticles alone. The findings of this study underscore the potential of nanobiofertilizers as an innovative and robust tool for promoting sustainable agriculture.

Nutrient enhancement in crops is part of biofortification which can also be achieved by decreasing the concentration of antinutrients. Lectins, oxalates, phytates, polyphenols, and glucosinolates are classified as antinutrients as their higher concentrations hinder the absorption of nutrients in the intestinal tract. Phytic acid (PA) chelates calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, manganese, copper, and chromium cations. Beans, seeds, and nuts contain a higher amount of PA as it is the primary compound to store phosphorus. It also protects against oxidative stress in seeds and possesses antioxidant and anticarcinogen properties. Nevertheless, given the crucial role PA plays in the nutritional regime of humans, it becomes pertinent to modulate its content to optimum levels in edible crops. Several approaches in this regard include mutagenesis and transgenic expression of phytase. The mutants with reduced PA production are often disadvantageous in terms of reduced seed germination and lower grain yield. Another challenge is the high-throughput quantification of PA in large breeding programs which has been recently overcome thus enabling more rigorous genome-wide association studies of phytic acid. The genes encoding myoinositol-3-phosphate synthase and inositol-pentaphosphate kinase serve as prime targets for enhancing nutrient content. The generation of plants with low phytate content is achieved by targeting the vacuolar multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) transporter. This chapter discusses various facets of PA related to human health as well as current developments and future challenges regarding biotechnological interventions in plants. <!----> <!----> <!----> <!---->