Article

Heavy metal contamination, especially from lead (Pb), poses a serious risk to environmental sustainability and agricultural output because of its toxicity, persistence, and capacity for bioaccumulation. This study assessed how different lead concentrations (0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg/kg) affected plant growth, physiological characteristics, and biochemical markers in order to comprehend tolerance mechanisms and toxicity responses. Growth measures such as plant height, root length, fresh weight, and dry biomass showed a concentration-dependent reduction, with 400 mg/kg showing the greatest suppression. Notably, lead stress had a particularly strong effect on root length, suggesting that roots are the main site of heavy metal toxicity. Furthermore, the amount of chlorophyll gradually decreased, indicating harm to the photosynthetic machinery and disruption of pigment production as a result of lead poisoning, which impairs chloroplast function and produces oxidative stress via reactive oxygen species (ROS). According to the research, lead exposure impairs physiological and morphological processes that are necessary for plant life. These effects are linked to oxidative damage, decreased cell division, poor water relations, and disturbed mineral feeding. Plant sensitivity to heavy metal pollution, even at modest levels, is highlighted by the steady drop in measured parameters, which suggests a dose-dependent harmful impact. All things considered, the study sheds light on how plants react to lead stress and highlights the necessity of tracking heavy metal pollution in agricultural soils in order to guide phytoremediation techniques and improve sustainable crop production.