Impact of Invasive Alien Plants and Heavy Metals Contamination on Crops: A Review

The existence of invasive alien plants with heavy metals in agricultural soil is a major threat to crop growth and yield and a serious issue in maintaining environmental sustainability. Thus, the current study summarizes the understanding of the individual and combined effects of invasive alien plants and heavy metal pollution on the agricultural ecosystem. Invasive alien plants, unhampered by natural predators or environmental limits, can outcompete indigenous flora for resources, resulting in decreased biodiversity and changes to ecosystem processes. Instantaneously, agricultural fields are contaminated with heavy metals from various human activities, including industrial operations, mining, wastewater incorporation, and consuming vast quantities of agrochemicals on the crops. Thus, it investigates the processes that occur when invasive plants and heavy metals come into contact with crops, resulting in negative consequences on growth, production, and overall diminishing agricultural health. Understanding these processes is critical for developing effective management measures to limit negative repercussions and ensure global food security.