Metabolites and Plant Stress Resistance

A special issue of Metabolites (ISSN 2218-1989). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Metabolism".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2026 | Viewed by 506

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
School of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
Interests: new type fertilizer; PGPR and metabolites; rhizosphere; abiotic stress
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Metabolomics enables the systematic study of small-molecule metabolites, revealing dynamic metabolic shifts that underpin stress adaptation, tolerance, and defense. By analyzing these changes, researchers can pinpoint key metabolic pathways, biomarkers, and regulatory mechanisms critical for plant survival under stress. The issue also emphasizes the interplay of primary and secondary metabolites (e.g., sugars, amino acids, antioxidants, and phytohormones) in stress signaling, homeostasis, and protective responses. This Special Issue focuses on the pivotal role of metabolites in plant responses to abiotic and biotic stresses.

The scope includes metabolite profiling in plants exposed to diverse stresses (e.g., drought, salinity, extreme temperatures, oxidative stress, pathogens, and pests); metabolic processes underlying stress relief in plants mediated by biostimulants, biofertilizers, and exogenous metabolites; and the application of advanced metabolomic techniques (e.g., LC-MS, GC-MS, and NMR) to identify stress-specific biomarkers. Studies on multi-omics integration (combining metabolomics with genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics) are welcome, as are investigations into secondary metabolites (e.g., flavonoids, phenolics, and terpenoids) that drive defense mechanisms. Additionally, contributions may explore computational modeling (e.g., metabolic network analysis) to predict stress responses, or applications in crop improvement through metabolic engineering or stress-tolerant breeding.

The purpose is to advance understanding of how metabolites mediate plant stress resistance and translate findings into practical solutions. By highlighting metabolic adaptations, identifying biomarkers, and proposing innovative strategies (e.g., metabolite-based breeding and stress management practices), this issue aims to support the development of resilient crops. Ultimately, it seeks to contribute to sustainable agriculture and global food security in the face of climate change and increasing environmental pressures. 

Prof. Dr. Nan Gao
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • metabolomics
  • mass spectrometry
  • abiotic stresses
  • biotic stresses
  • biomarkers
  • biostimulants
  • biofertilizers
  • exogenous metabolites

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

19 pages, 3816 KB  
Article
Untargeted Metabolomics Reveals Region-Specific Metabolic Signatures and Discriminative Markers in Goji Berry (Lycium barbarum L.)
by Yan Yan, Wei Ma, Yage Li, Chen Zhang, Fang Li, Tianqing Huang, Beibei Gao, Huihui Meng, Yunfei Hu and Huan Wu
Metabolites 2026, 16(5), 326; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo16050326 - 14 May 2026
Viewed by 215
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Goji berry (Lycium barbarum L.), renowned as a typical medicinal and edible plant, is mainly cultivated across four agroclimatic zones in China, including semi-arid, arid, monsoon, and high-altitude regions. Ningxia has long been recognized as the daodi production area for [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Goji berry (Lycium barbarum L.), renowned as a typical medicinal and edible plant, is mainly cultivated across four agroclimatic zones in China, including semi-arid, arid, monsoon, and high-altitude regions. Ningxia has long been recognized as the daodi production area for goji berries. However, the metabolic diversity of goji berries from other core cultivation regions and how these differences are shaped by local environments remain poorly understood. Methods: In this study, untargeted metabolomics was employed to comprehensively investigate the metabolic difference in goji across seven production regions. By integrating multivariate analysis with KEGG pathway enrichment (p < 0.05), 49 discriminative markers enriched in 10 key pathways were putatively identified, and their roles in plant stress tolerance were elucidated. In addition, we conducted targeted quantification of key bioactive components and antioxidant capacity. Results: Significant regional differences were revealed. Redundancy analysis further identified rainfall, temperature, and UV radiation as the key climatic drivers of this variation. Conclusions: These findings provide insights into the metabolic adaptation of goji to local environments and serve as a basis for further functional studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolites and Plant Stress Resistance)
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