Biotechnological and multiomics strategies for understanding and controlling cadmium stress in wheat

Cadmium (Cd) contamination in agricultural soils, largely resulting from anthropogenic activities such as industrial discharge, mining, and excessive use of phosphate fertilizers, poses a severe threat to food safety and wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) productivity. Cd accumulation in wheat grains not only compromises plant growth and yield but also endangers human health through dietary exposure. Developing wheat varieties with low Cd accumulation and enhancing phytoremediation strategies using high-Cd-accumulating genotypes are critical approaches to address this issue. Recent progress in multiomics technologies including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics has significantly deepened our understanding of the molecular, physiological, and biochemical responses of wheat to Cd stress. This review systematically synthesizes current knowledge on Cd uptake, translocation, and detoxification mechanisms in wheat and highlights the application of integrated multiomics strategies to identify key genes, proteins, and metabolic pathways involved in Cd tolerance. By combining multiomics insights with modern biotechnological tools, this work provides a comprehensive framework for breeding and engineering wheat varieties with improved Cd resistance and reduced grain Cd content. The review also outlines the environmental implications and limitations of current approaches, offering a forward-looking perspective on sustainable wheat production under heavy metal stress. • Cd pollution threatens wheat production and food safety. • Human activities drive Cd accumulation, requiring mitigation strategies. • Low-Cd wheat breeding and phytoremediation help reduce soil Cd. • Multi-omics technologies uncover Cd tolerance and detoxification mechanisms. • Genome editing and gene transformation offer effective solutions.