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Plants
Special Issues
Adaptability and Acclimatization of Plants Under Environmental Stresses
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Adaptability and Acclimatization of Plants Under Environmental Stresses

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Response to Abiotic Stress and Climate Change".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 2906

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Antônio Gustavo de Luna Souto

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Guest Editor
Postgraduate Program in Agronomy, Federal University of Paraíba, Areia 58051-900, Brazil
Interests: plant nutrition; abiotic stress; drought and saline stress; fruits crop; irrigation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Hans Raj Gheyi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Postgraduate Program in Agricultural Engineering, Federal University of Campina Grande, Campina Grande 58429-900, Brazil
Interests: soil and water salinity; biosaline agriculture; water reuse; soilless cultivation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Alberto Soares De Melo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Graduate Program in Agricultural Sciences, Paraíba State University, Campina Grande 58429-500, PB, Brazil
Interests: salt stress; drought stress; irrigation; water management; horticulture; plant physiology; plant ecophysiology; Vigna unguiculata; phenotyping
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. João Everthon da Silva Ribeiro

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Guest Editor
Agricultural Sciences Center, Federal Rural University of the Semi-Arid Region, Mossoró 59625-900, Brazil
Interests: plant production; plant physiology; gas exchange; abiotic stress; plant hormones; plant ecophysiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Environmental stresses—such as drought, salinity, extreme temperatures, pollutants, and pathogens—pose significant challenges to plant growth and yield, threatening global food security and ecosystem stability. In response, plants have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to acclimatize and adapt to adverse conditions, ranging from molecular and physiological adjustments to ecological interactions. This Special Issue (Adaptability and Acclimatization of Plants Under Environmental Stresses) aims to highlight cutting-edge research on plant resilience, focusing on both natural adaptation processes and innovative strategies to mitigate the impacts of stress.

We invite the submission of original manuscripts and reviews addressing, but not limited to, the following topics:

  • Molecular mechanisms underlying stress detection, signaling, and regulation (e.g., plant hormone network, epigenetic modifications, and gene expression networks);
  • Physiological and biochemical responses (osmotic adjustment, antioxidant defense, and photosynthetic efficiency);
  • Role of stress mitigators: biostimulants (e.g., algae extract and amino acids), beneficial microorganisms (e.g., PGPR and mycorrhizal fungi), and organic compounds;
  • Biotechnological approaches: genetic engineering, marker-assisted selection, and genetic improvement for stress-tolerant genotypes;
  • Ecological and agronomic strategies: crop rotation, soil management, and water-saving techniques to improve acclimatization;
  • Omic technologies (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) to elucidate key pathways and biomarkers;
  • Interactions between responses to abiotic and biotic stresses;
  • Case studies with native species, agricultural crops, or plants from extreme environments.

This Special Edition seeks to compile multidisciplinary advances that unite fundamental science with practical applications, promoting sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation in times of climate change. We look forward to receiving your innovative work and the opportunity to promote a collaborative platform to address one of the most pressing issues in plant science.

Prof. Dr. Antônio Gustavo de Luna Souto
Prof. Dr. Hans Raj Gheyi
Prof. Dr. Alberto Soares De Melo
Prof. Dr. João Everthon Da Silva Ribeiro
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Plants is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • climate change
  • environmental stress
  • acclimatization
  • adaptation
  • stress mitigation
  • biostimulants
  • abiotic stress
  • resilience
  • omic technologies
  • biotechnology
  • genetic improvement
  • sustainable agriculture

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 286 KB  
Article
Moderate Light Intensity Optimizes Forage Nutritive Value While Maintaining Morphophysiological Stability and Secondary Metabolite Concentrations in Plantago lanceolata L. Under Controlled Environmental Conditions
by Verónica M. Merino, Luis F. Piña, M. Jordana Rivero, Neal B. Stolpe, Luisa L. Bascuñán, Pablo A. Castro, José M. Ortiz, María D. López, Gabriela E. Gómez and Baska R. Concha
Plants 2026, 15(8), 1274; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15081274 - 21 Apr 2026
Viewed by 207
Abstract
Plantago lanceolata L. is increasingly incorporated in temperate pasture systems for its agronomic resilience and potential to reduce the environmental footprint of ruminant production through its specific secondary metabolites (SMs). However, how light intensity per se regulates P. lanceolata L. physiology, nutritive value [...] Read more.
Plantago lanceolata L. is increasingly incorporated in temperate pasture systems for its agronomic resilience and potential to reduce the environmental footprint of ruminant production through its specific secondary metabolites (SMs). However, how light intensity per se regulates P. lanceolata L. physiology, nutritive value and SM accumulation remains poorly understood due to confounding factors in field studies. This controlled-environment study evaluated the effects of three light intensities (200, 300, and 400 µmol photons m−2 s−1) on morphophysiological traits, forage quality, and SM concentrations in P. lanceolata L. cv. “Ceres Tonic”. Plants were grown in controlled-environment chambers under similar temperature, humidity and nutrient conditions. Morphological traits, biomass allocation, chlorophyll fluorescence, gas exchange, chemical composition, and root architecture were measured. Additionally, the most important secondary metabolites, aucubin, catalpol and acteoside, were also evaluated. Under the different light intensity treatments plants maintained stable physiological parameters, total biomass production, leaf dimensions or root architecture. However, moderate light intensity (300 µmol photons m−2 s−1) optimized nutritive value by minimizing fiber concentrations and maximizing metabolizable energy. Acteoside concentration, as well as the iridoid glycosides aucubin and catalpol, were not affected by the different light intensities. These findings demonstrate that P. lanceolata L. maintains morphophysiological stability across the tested light intensity range studied, while selectively modulating forage quality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptability and Acclimatization of Plants Under Environmental Stresses)
16 pages, 10106 KB  
Article
Contrasting Responses of a Native Palm and an Invasive Vine to Flooding Stress: Implications for Orchard Regeneration in Caatinga Ecosystems
by Wiliana Júlia Ferreira de Medeiros, Claudivan Feitosa de Lacerda, Bruno Gabriel Monteiro da Costa Bezerra, Jonnathan Richeds da Silva Sales, Francisco Gleyson da Silveira Alves, Elayne Cristina Gadelha Vasconcelos, Magno José Duarte Cândido, Paula Ingrid Maia Machado, Oriel Herrera Bonilla, Isabel Cristina da Silva Araújo, Carlos Henrique Carvalho de Sousa and Antonio Marcos Esmeraldo Bezerra
Plants 2026, 15(6), 954; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15060954 - 20 Mar 2026
Viewed by 431
Abstract
The carnauba palm trees in the Caatinga ecosystem, in Northeast Brazil, have been impacted by invasive species, particularly in areas subject to flooding. This study aimed to evaluate morphological, physiological, and nutritional responses of Copernicia prunifera (native) and Cryptostegia madagascariensis (invasive) seedlings exposed [...] Read more.
The carnauba palm trees in the Caatinga ecosystem, in Northeast Brazil, have been impacted by invasive species, particularly in areas subject to flooding. This study aimed to evaluate morphological, physiological, and nutritional responses of Copernicia prunifera (native) and Cryptostegia madagascariensis (invasive) seedlings exposed to flooding stress. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design, with a split-plot arrangement and five replicates. The treatments were formed by two species and five periods of flood stress (0, 8, 12, 16, and 20 days). Flooding significantly reduced shoot dry mass in both species; however, the reduction was more pronounced in the invasive species (27%) compared to the native palm (20%). The invasive species showed strong use of resources, with higher values for leaf mineral nutrient, net photosynthesis, growth rate, and leaf area, regardless of the water regime. Under flooding, the invasive species produced adventitious roots, and the net photosynthetic rate was less impacted, despite greater sodium accumulation in the leaves. The results indicate that the characteristics of C. prunifera, such as slow growth rate, low specific leaf area, and morphological adaptations of the root system, may ensure greater stability in net carbon assimilation in the whole plant under flooding. However, the rapid growth and high absorption of soil resources of C. madagascariensis pose a significant threat to the establishment of C. prunifera seedlings, directly jeopardizing the long-term renewal of carnauba palm groves in the Caatinga ecosystem. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptability and Acclimatization of Plants Under Environmental Stresses)
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19 pages, 3511 KB  
Article
Evaluation of Photoprotective Strategies in Asexual Michelia guangdongensis Lines Under High Temperature and Strong Light Stress Using the Entropy-Weighted TOPSIS Method
by Juntao Liu, Fang Xu, Xinyu Chen, Yingkai Wang, Ziping Deng, Qingsong Bai, Huanqin Liao, Baozhu Zhu and Weihua Zhang
Plants 2026, 15(6), 900; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15060900 - 13 Mar 2026
Viewed by 497
Abstract
Photosynthesis is of pivotal significance to the growth, development, and survival of plants. The conservation of endangered plant species represents a significant challenge within the broader context of biodiversity conservation. Analysis of the photosynthetic, physiological, and ecological characteristics of endangered plants is of [...] Read more.
Photosynthesis is of pivotal significance to the growth, development, and survival of plants. The conservation of endangered plant species represents a significant challenge within the broader context of biodiversity conservation. Analysis of the photosynthetic, physiological, and ecological characteristics of endangered plants is of significant value in understanding their survival mechanisms under adverse conditions, and can also provide key scientific support for the development of effective conservation measures. This study selected one-year-old Michelia guangdongensis seedlings to measure diurnal photosynthetic variations across different asexual lines. Using entropy-weighted TOPSIS evaluation and statistical analysis, we aimed to investigate photosynthetic differences among asexual lines and their relationship with environmental factors, thereby revealing the physiological characteristics of photosynthesis in M. guangdongensis seedlings. The results showed that the daily net photosynthetic rate variation of asexual lines CG3 and 1 of M. guangdongensis had asymmetric double-peak curves. Moreover, strains 9073, 8898, 8812, and 5 showed single-peak curves. Leaf transpiration rate (Trmmol) and CO2 concentration (Ca) pathway analysis indicated these as the primary factors influencing the net photosynthetic rate of M. guangdongensis, with effective values of 1.17 and 0.9, respectively. TOPSIS entropy-weighted analysis indicated that the Ci values for CG3 and Leaf 1 exceeded 0.7, which indicated strong photosynthetic capacity. Additionally, the underside of the leaves exhibited superior coloration, thereby enhancing their ornamental value. This study provides a scientific basis and practical guidance for the breeding of asexual lines of M. guangdongensis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptability and Acclimatization of Plants Under Environmental Stresses)
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16 pages, 1304 KB  
Article
Growth and Physiological Responses and Selection of Tedera (Bituminaria bituminosa L.) Genotypes Under Salt Stress Conditions
by Gülcan Kaymak Bayram, Mehmet Can, Utku Tunalı, Zeki Acar and İlknur Ayan
Plants 2025, 14(23), 3618; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14233618 - 27 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 516
Abstract
Tedera (Bituminaria bituminosa L.) is a highly resilient perennial legume that maintains high forage quality under drought and poor fertility conditions with minimal inputs. Identifying salt-tolerant genotypes is crucial for rehabilitating degraded soils and promoting sustainable, low-input production systems. This study evaluated [...] Read more.
Tedera (Bituminaria bituminosa L.) is a highly resilient perennial legume that maintains high forage quality under drought and poor fertility conditions with minimal inputs. Identifying salt-tolerant genotypes is crucial for rehabilitating degraded soils and promoting sustainable, low-input production systems. This study evaluated the effects of increasing salinity on the growth and physiological responses of 12 high-yielding tedera genotypes grown under five NaCl concentrations (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 mM). Growth parameters, photosynthetic pigments, lipid peroxidation, proline amount and mineral substance contents were determined. Increasing NaCl doses caused significant decreases in plant height, leaf number, stem and root weights, while lipid peroxidation and proline accumulation increased. Several genotypes were able to maintain their chlorophyll content and growth performance even under high salinity levels, indicating potential salt tolerance. Correlation analysis indicated a significant negative relationship between the proline concentration and the chlorophyll content. G1, G2, and G3 genotypes showed the highest values when plant height (respectively, 52.23, 52.96 and 52.06 cm), leaf number (53.66, 51.53 and 47.53 per plant), and stem fresh (25.74, 24.56, and 24.44 g) and dry weights (16.78, 16.26 and 15.54 g) were considered together. In the control treatment, the contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids were 1.362, 0.016, and 0.006 mg g−1, respectively, which declined to 0.726, 0.006, and 0.003 mg g−1 at 100 mM NaCl. The average proline content increased from 1.743 µmol g−1 in the control to 3.403 µmol g−1 at 100 mM NaCl dose. When above-ground biomass yield, leaf number, chlorophyll content, proline content, and lipid peroxidase value are considered together, the G1 and G2 tedera genotypes, which are less affected by salinity stress, can be recommended. These findings provide a physiological basis for breeding salt-tolerant tedera cultivars suitable for saline regions of Türkiye. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptability and Acclimatization of Plants Under Environmental Stresses)
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Review

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11 pages, 891 KB  
Review
Functional and Mechanistic Insights into Plant VQ Proteins in Abiotic and Biotic Stress Responses
by Lili Zhang, Yi Wang, Zhiyong Ni and Yuehua Yu
Plants 2025, 14(24), 3855; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14243855 - 17 Dec 2025
Viewed by 634
Abstract
Valine-glutamine motif proteins (VQ), plant-specific transcriptional co-regulators harboring the conserved FxxhVQxhTG motif, play pivotal roles in coordinating plant stress adaptation through dynamic interactions with WRKY transcription factors (WRKY), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) cascades, and hormone signaling pathways. Evolutionary analyses reveal the characteristics of [...] Read more.
Valine-glutamine motif proteins (VQ), plant-specific transcriptional co-regulators harboring the conserved FxxhVQxhTG motif, play pivotal roles in coordinating plant stress adaptation through dynamic interactions with WRKY transcription factors (WRKY), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) cascades, and hormone signaling pathways. Evolutionary analyses reveal the characteristics of their evolutionary protection and ancient origin, with lineage-specific expansion via genome duplication events. Structurally, compact genes lacking introns and the presence of intrinsic disordered regions (IDRs) facilitate rapid stress responses and versatile protein interactions. Functionally, VQ proteins orchestrate abiotic stress tolerance (e.g., drought, salinity, temperature extremes) by modulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis, osmotic balance, and abscisic acid/salicylic acid (ABA/SA)-mediated signaling. Concurrently, they enhance biotic stress resistance via pathogen-responsive WRKY-VQ modules that regulate defense gene expression and hormone crosstalk. Despite advances, challenges persist in deciphering post-translational modifications, tissue-specific functions, and cross-stress integration mechanisms. Harnessing CRISPR-based editing and multi-omics approaches will accelerate the exploitation of VQ genes for developing climate-resilient crops. This review synthesizes the molecular architecture, evolutionary dynamics, and multifunctional regulatory networks of VQ proteins, providing a roadmap for their utilization in sustainable agriculture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptability and Acclimatization of Plants Under Environmental Stresses)
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