Recent Developments in Strigolactone–Heavy-metal Research in Plants

Strigolactone (SL) levels can be critical for plant performance to enhance biomass under higher heavy-metal-affected soils. SL application can modify nutrients status by enhancing the supply of basic nutrients and altering the fate of heavy metals by upgrading microbial interactions. This chapter defines the role of SLs in soil fertility, plant growth, photosynthesis, and promotion of plant tolerance to heavy-metal toxicity. Results have demonstrated that exogenous application of SLs, particularly the synthetic analog GR24, is also applicable in the regeneration of plant biomass and chlorophyll concentration, as well as the root systems of plants in cadmium- and chromium-contaminated soils. Photosynthetic performance is improved and thus SLs maintain energy balance despite oxidation damage. They participate in the homeostasis of reducing oxidation by activating antioxidant defense through increased superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase activities. In contrast, mutants deficient in SLs have poor resilience, indicating the necessity of endogenous SLs in regulation of the stress response.