Detoxification and Tolerance of Heavy Metal in Tobacco Plants

The higher content of heavy metals in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) not only affects its growth, development, and economic benefit, but also threatens public health fatally. This chapter reviews the physiological detoxication mechanism of tobacco on heavy metals (HMs), such as the transport, accumulation, and compartmentalization of HMs in tobacco, the research progress in effects of HMs on tobacco antioxidative enzymes and antioxidants activity, the role of trichomes and crystals, and the special genes influencing tobacco HMs accumulation. We also put forward some integrated approaches for preventing heavy metal pollution of tobacco or improving polluted soil remediation efficiency.