Abstract
The review article addresses the potential use of brassinosteroids and synthetic brassinosteroid-based preparations to protect plants exposed to environmental lead contamination. Under climate change and anthropogenic chemical pollution of the biosphere, this stressor is one of the most important agents that reduce the yield and quality of crops, and, therefore, it deserves close attention. Brassinosteroids and brassinosteroid-based preparations are regarded as universal plant growth stimulants and adaptogens. To support this assertion, it is important to study behavior of brassinosteroids under environmental lead contamination and discuss arguments in favor of their preferential use. The article provides information about the history of discovery and study of brassinosteroids, reports data on their chemical nature, biosynthesis, metabolism, and mechanisms of action on the plant cell, and describes interactions of brassinosteroids with other substances that stimulate plant growth and development. The article discusses phytotoxicity of lead and its influence on the growth, development, productivity, and resistance of plants. Literature data and results obtained by the authors provide evidence of the protective effect of brassinosteroids and brassinosteroid-based preparations on plants exposed to lead contamination and suggest reasons for their preferential use in the context of chemical pollution. Arguments are offered in favor of further research of these biostimulants in order to specify their use depending on the characteristics of the stress factor and biological properties of the plant