Horticultural Plants Facing Stressful Conditions - Ways of Stress Mitigation

Dear Colleagues,

Horticultural plants are exposed to a wide range of environmental stresses. Two types of stresses are distinguished: (1) abiotic stresses (e.g., heavy metals, salinity, heat, drought, chilling, freezing, radiation, nutrient deficit) and (2) biotic stresses (e.g., fungi, bacteria, nematodes, insects). Plants have developed various strategies of survival in and adaptation to adverse habitats. Their responses involve different complex signaling pathways, the effects of which can be investigated at the molecular, cellular, and physiological levels. Under multiple stress conditions, plants synthetize various regulators and biologically active compounds, which cause both biotic and abiotic stress responses. Plant tolerance can emerge not only from endogenic mechanisms, but also from simultaneously enriched microorganisms inhabiting their tissues (endophytes), surfaces (epiphytes), and soils in the vicinity of the roots (rhizosphere). These microorganisms and their metabolites and mineral elements can play an important role in generating genetic and physiological plant responses to stresses. Compiling our knowledge about these cross-linking relations can be helpful in the development of new strategies for increasing the productivity of horticultural crops. The application of natural origin agents will allow us to produce healthy food in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way.

The goal of this Special Issue is to provide deeper insight into the influence of stress factors at the cellular, tissue, organ, and whole plant level. Both non-modified and genetically modified plants are acceptable. Especially welcome are approaches combining stresses and the exploration of a wide range of fields, from anatomy through biochemistry, physiology, molecular biology, and genetics.

Dr. Agnieszka Hanaka
Dr. Małgorzata Majewska
Dr. Barbara Hawrylak-Nowak
Guest Editors

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