Chromium (Cr), a persistent soil pollutant, has detrimental effects on plants and living things, and its contamination in soil increased as a result of human-induced activities. Pakistan suffers from a lack of fresh water supplies; hence most people use metal-containing water and wastewater to irrigate their crops. Exposure to Cr toxicity, the plant reduces their morphological and physiological growth which ultimately decreases crop productivity. The current study was designed to investigate the foliar application of hesperidin (HSP) at varying effluent rates (25, 50, 75, and 100 mg L-1) on wheat growth under tannery wastewater irrigated soil. Cr toxicity caused a change in the concentration of chlorophyll molecules, indicating early signs of stress. Modifications in the ultrastructure of chloroplasts, the elevated activity of chlorophyllase, and the generation of reactive oxygen species were causing the reduction in chlorophyll. Cr stress disrupted total soluble protein concentrations and the activity of antioxidationrelated enzymes and NRA, suggesting the onset of oxidative stress. On the other hand, the application of HSP reduced oxidative damage by improving protein concentration (37%), chlorophyll concentration (37%), and antioxidant enzyme activity such as CAT (65%), SOD (46%), and POD (68%). Furthermore, HSP raised the concentrations of non-enzymatic antioxidant molecules, which may indicate better redox homeostasis and stress tolerance. These molecules include GSH, GSSG, ascorbic acid, flavonoids, phenolics, and anthocyanins. HSP therapy lessened the impact of Cr stress on lipid peroxidation markers. HSP enhanced these measures during the investigation. Cr stress raised the concentrations of total free amino acids and nitrogen oxide and decreased the radical scavenging activity in wheat. Cr stress raised the concentration of all soluble sugars, primarily reducing and non-reducing sugars, whereas the application of HSP strengthened these osmo protectants even more results of the present investigation indicate that exogenous HSP is a feasible and eco-friendly approach to improving plant resistance against Cr toxicity by efficiently reducing the physiological strain and metabolic stress caused by Cr in wheat plants.

The ubiquitous metalloid arsenic (As), which is not essential, can be found extensively in the soil and subterranean water of numerous nations, raising substantial apprehensions due to its impact on both agricultural productivity and sustainability. Plants exposed to As often display morphological, physiological, and growthrelated abnormalities, collectively leading to reduced productivity. Polyphenols, operating as secondary messengers within the intricate signaling networks of plants, assume integral functions in the acquisition of resistance to diverse environmental stressors, including but not limited to drought, salinity, and exposure to heavy metals. The pivotal roles played by polyphenols in these adaptive processes underscore their profound significance in plant biology. This study aims to elucidate the impact of hesperidin (HP) and chlorogenic acid (CA), recognized as potent bioactive compounds, on maize plants exposed to As. To achieve this objective, the study examined the physiological and biochemical impacts, including growth parameters, photosynthesis, and chloroplastic antioxidants, of HP (100 mu M) and CA (50 mu M) on Zea mays plants exposed to arsenate stress (AsV, 100 mu M - Na2HAsO4 & sdot;7H2O). As toxicity led to reductions in fresh weight (FW) and dry weight (DW) by 33% and 26%, respectively. However, the application of As+HP and As + CA increased FW by 22% and 40% and DW by 14% and 17%, respectively, alleviating the effects of As stress. As toxicity resulted in the up-regulation of PSII genes (psbA and psbD) and PSI genes (psaA and psaB), indicating a potential response to the re-formation of degraded regions, likely driven by the heightened demand for photosynthesis. Exogenous HP or/and CA treatments effectively counteracted the adverse effects of As toxicity on the photochemical quantum efficiency of PSII (Fv/ Fm). H2O2 content showed a 23% increase under As stress, and this increase was evident in guard cells when examining confocal microscopy images. In the presence of As toxicity, the chloroplastic antioxidant capacity can exhibit varying trends, with either a decrease or increase observed. After the application of CA and/or HP, a significant increase was observed in the activity of GR, APX, GST, and GPX enzymes, resulting in decreased levels of H2O2 and MDA. Additionally, the enhanced functions of MDHAR and DHAR have modulated the redox status of ascorbic acid (AsA) and glutathione (GSH). The HP or CA-mediated elevated levels of AsA and GSH content further contributed to the preservation of redox homeostasis in chloroplasts facing stress induced by As. In summary, the inclusion of HP and CA in the growth medium sustained plant performance in the presence of As toxicity by regulating physiological and biochemical characteristics, chloroplastic antioxidant enzymes, the AsAGSH cycle and photosynthesis processes, thereby demonstrating their significant potential to confer resistance to maize through the mitigation of As-induced oxidative damage and the safeguarding of photosynthetic mechanisms.