Triacontanol is a potent alleviator of stress induced by salt and heavy metal contamination in plants

Overindulgence of heavy metal and salt in soil can lead to contamination and have detrimental effects on agricultural crops. These pollutants abound in soil, trigger oxidative stress in plants, disrupt metabolic processes, and ultimately impede the growth and development. Moreover, biomagnifications of these soil pollutants in foods obtained from plants bring ailments in humans as well. The most convincing and economical way to reconcile the repercussions of contaminated soil on plants is phytohormone supplementation. In this way, triacontanol (TRIA, n-C30H61OH), a primary alcohol derived from epicuticular waxes, is ascribed to offer promising roles in the alleviation of soil contamination. Like other plant-derived hormones, triacontanol saliently impacts nitrogen fixation, photosynthesis, transpiration, nutrient uptake, and fruit ripening. However, it primarily strengthens the defense system and protects the plants from stress exacerbated by soil contamination. L (+)-adenosine is a secondary messenger of triacontanol that commences the signal transduction pathway of MYC46, PAL, aquaporins (AQPs), and chlorophyll metabolism-linked genes. Tricontanol mediates plant responses to stress through its interaction with JA, SA, and ethylene. This review attempts to assemble published information about triacontanol, with a particular focus on its potential role in crop growth and yield improvement over soil contamination.