Mitigating cadmium toxicity in crops: Agronomic measures to regulate uptake and tolerance mechanisms

• Farmland Cd contamination impacts the entire crop growth cycle and poses a human health risk through the food chain. • The mitigation mechanisms involve regulatory effects on both soil chemistry and plant physiology under Cd stress. • Analysis of five key agronomic measures demonstrates their synergistic potential in reducing Cd accumulation. • A decision-tree framework provides practical guidance for implementing integrated plans based on regional characteristics. Cadmium (Cd), a highly toxic heavy metal, disrupts all stages of crop growth and poses serious threats to human health through its accumulation in the food chain. To address this challenge, numerous studies explored a range of agronomic measures aimed at regulating crop growth and mitigating the adverse impacts of soil Cd contamination on agricultural productivity. This review provides a systematic assessment of progress in key strategies, including diversified planting systems, exogenous soil amendments, plant growth regulators, water and fertilizer management, and breeding programs for low-Cd accumulation and enhanced tolerance. In light of existing knowledge gaps, this study proposes agronomic approaches tailored to regional soil-crop contexts as a scientific basis for strengthening food security and safeguarding ecosystem health. However, the synergistic interactions among these practices and their long-term effectiveness under field conditions remain insufficiently understood. Therefore, the development of standardized evaluation frameworks adapted to specific soil-plant systems is urgently required to translate mechanistic insights into practical, sustainable applications.