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Abiotic Stress Responses in Plants—Second Edition

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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: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 3791

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Dr. Cataldo Pulvento

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Department of Agricultural and Environmental Science, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona, 4, 70126 Bari, Italy
Interests: soil water plant relations; abiotic stresses; agronomy; herbaceous crops; quinoa; amaranth
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Dear Colleagues,

Abiotic stress is a significant concern due to its effects on plant survival and productivity; it is responsible for significant losses in crop production worldwide. Abiotic stress can be defined as all the negative impacts caused by non-living factors on an organism. These include drought, salinity, low or high temperatures, contamination, and other extreme conditions. Plants have adapted multiple responses to abiotic stress, making it more challenging to counteract than biotic stress. Therefore, more research is needed to understand the mechanisms exploited by different plant species to respond to abiotic stresses at the molecular, cellular, tissue, anatomical, morphological, and physiological levels. This Special Issue of Plants endeavors to collect as much information as possible on the responses of plants to abiotic stress and to propose novel solutions to increase the adaptability of plants to perceived stress.

The first edition can be found at the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/plants/special_issues/0MFU839E25.

Dr. Cataldo Pulvento
Guest Editor

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Keywords

drought tolerance
heat tolerance
flooding tolerance
cold tolerance
soil acidity
iron toxicity

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 4897 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Structure, Evolution, and Expression Patterns Analysis Reveals the bHLH Members Associated with Powdery Mildew Resistance in Rubber Tree

by Xiaokang Fan, Xiaoling Tang, Yiying Lu, Yan Zhang, Cuicui Wang, Yu Zhang and Lifeng Wang

Plants 2025, 14(21), 3244; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14213244 - 22 Oct 2025

Viewed by 298

Abstract

The basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) transcription factors play a crucial role in plant development and stress resistance. Elucidating the structure and function of bHLH family members related to rubber tree powdery mildew (Erysiphe quercicola) is essential for breeding disease-resistant rubber tree varieties. In the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.) variety CATAS73397, 204 HbbHLH transcription factors were systematically identified at the genome level and classified into 15 subfamilies through evolutionary analysis. The expansion of this family was primarily driven by whole-genome duplication (WGD). Based on RNA-seq data from leaves infected with powdery mildew, 11 HbbHLH genes responsive to infection were identified. Phylogenetic analysis examined the evolutionary relationships between rubber tree bHLH genes and disease-resistant bHLH genes from other plants. Promoter analysis of the 11 differentially expressed genes revealed abundant cis-elements associated with light responses, hormones, and transcription factor binding. Quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction validation indicated that HbbHLH87 and HbbHLH162-2 were significantly downregulated during infection, whereas HbbHLH25 was significantly upregulated. These three genes exhibited strong responses to methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and salicylic acid (SA) treatments, suggesting their involvement in jasmonic acid and SA signal transduction pathways during the immune response. This study provides important insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying disease resistance in rubber trees and identifies potential targets for breeding disease-resistant varieties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic Stress Responses in Plants—Second Edition)

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17 pages, 2346 KB

Open AccessArticle

Targeted Regulation of AhGRF3b by ahy-miR396 Modulates Leaf Growth and Cold Tolerance in Peanut

by Xin Zhang, Qimei Liu, Xinyu Liu, Haoyu Lin, Xiaoyu Zhang, Rui Zhang, Zhenbo Chen, Xiaoji Zhang, Yuexia Tian, Yunyun Xue, Huiqi Zhang, Na Li, Pingping Nie and Dongmei Bai

Plants 2025, 14(20), 3203; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14203203 - 18 Oct 2025

Viewed by 241

Abstract

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important oil and cash crop, but its growth and productivity are severely constrained by low-temperature stress. Growth-regulating factors (GRFs) are plant-specific transcription factors involved in development and stress responses, yet their roles in peanut remain poorly understood. In this study, we identified AhGRF3b as a direct target of ahy-miR396 using degradome sequencing, which demonstrated precise miRNA-mediated cleavage sites within the AhGRF3b transcript. Expression profiling confirmed that ahy-miR396 suppresses AhGRF3b via post-transcriptional cleavage rather than translational repression. Functional analyses showed that overexpression of AhGRF3b in Arabidopsis thaliana promoted leaf expansion by enhancing cell proliferation. Specifically, leaf length, width, and petiole length increased by 104%, 22%, and 28%, respectively (p < 0.05). Under cold stress (0 °C for 7 days), transgenic lines (OE-2 and OE-6) exhibited significantly better growth than Col-0, with fresh weight increased by 158% and 146%, respectively (p < 0.05). Effect size analysis further confirmed these differences (Cohen’s d = 11.6 for OE-2 vs. Col-0; d = 6.3 for OE-6 vs. Col-0). Protein–protein interaction assays, performed using the yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) system and 3D protein–protein docking models, further supported that AhGRF3b interacts with Catalase 1 (AhCAT1), vacuolar cation/proton exchanger 3 (AhCAX3), probable polyamine oxidase 4 (AhPAO4), and ACT domain-containing protein 11 (AhACR11), which are involved in reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging and ion homeostasis. These interactions were associated with enhanced CAT and PAO enzymatic activities, reduced ROS accumulation, and upregulation of stress-related genes under cold stress. These findings suggest that the ahy-miR396/AhGRF3b module plays a potential regulatory role in leaf morphogenesis and cold tolerance, providing valuable genetic resources for breeding cold-tolerant peanut varieties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic Stress Responses in Plants—Second Edition)

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14 pages, 932 KB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancement by Burkholderia contaminans ZCC Combined with Biochar on the Remediation of Arsenic-Contaminated Soil by Pteris vittata

by Xiaojun Yang, Yuanping Li, Dan Zhou, Hend Alwathnani and Christopher Rensing

Plants 2025, 14(20), 3169; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14203169 - 15 Oct 2025

Viewed by 230

Abstract

Arsenic pollution is a global environmental challenge, necessitating efficient and sustainable remediation technologies. This study investigates the synergistic effect of the arsenic-resistant bacterium Burkholderia contaminans ZCC (ZCC) and corn stalk biochar (BC) on arsenic-contaminated soil, with Pteris vittata as the remediation plant. Through pot experiments, we evaluated the effects of various BC addition rates (0%, 1%, 5%) and ZCC inoculation on soil pH, plant growth, physiological responses, and arsenic accumulation. Biochar alone significantly increased soil pH (reaching 7.56 in the 5% BC treatment), while B. contaminans ZCC alone had a weaker effect. In combined treatments, pH changes were primarily driven by biochar. The combination of B. contaminans ZCC and BC enhanced P. vittata growth, with the 5% BC + ZCC treatment showing the greatest increase in total plant biomass (2.56 times that of the control) and total chlorophyll content (43.32% higher). This treatment also activated antioxidant systems (increased SOD, POD, and CAT activities), reduced oxidative damage (lower MDA content), and improved osmotic regulation (higher proline content). Notably, B. contaminans ZCC and BC synergistically enhanced arsenic accumulation in the P. vittata plant, with the arsenic content under the 5% BC + ZCC treatment being 2.81 times that of the control. This study demonstrates that the combination of B. contaminans ZCC and BC enhances arsenic remediation through soil improvement and plant growth promotion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic Stress Responses in Plants—Second Edition)

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22 pages, 4622 KB

Open AccessArticle

Elucidating the Mechanistic Role of Exogenous Melatonin in Salt Stress Tolerance of Maize (Zea mays L.) Seedlings: An Integrated Physiological, Metabolomic, and Proteomic Profiling Analysis

by Zhichao Wang, Linhao Zong, Qiqi Cai, Yinjie Fu, Zhiping Gao and Guoxiang Chen

Plants 2025, 14(20), 3129; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14203129 - 10 Oct 2025

Viewed by 317

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.), as a globally significant cereal crop, exhibits high sensitivity to salt stress during early seedling stages. Although melatonin (MT) has demonstrated potential in mitigating abiotic stresses, the specific mechanisms underlying MT-mediated alleviation of salt stress in maize seedlings remain unclear. In this study, we established four treatment groups: control (CK), melatonin treatment (MT), salt stress (NaCl), and combined treatment (NaCl_MT). Metabolomic and proteomic analyses were performed, supplemented by photosynthesis-related experiments as well as antioxidant-related experiments. Metabolomic analysis identified key metabolites in MT-mediated salt stress mitigation. Both metabolomic and proteomic analyses underscored the critical roles of photosynthetic and antioxidant pathways. Salt stress significantly decreased the net photosynthetic rate (Pn) by 67.7%, disrupted chloroplast ultrastructure, and reduced chlorophyll content by 41.6%. Conversely, MT treatment notably mitigated these detrimental effects. Moreover, MT enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes by approximately 10–20% and reduced the accumulation of oxidative stress markers by around 10–25% in maize seedlings under salt stress. In conclusion, this study conducted a systematic and multidimensional investigation into the mitigation of salt stress in maize seedlings by MT. Our results revealed that MT enhances antioxidant systems, increases chlorophyll content, and alleviates damage to chloroplast ultrastructure, thereby improving photosystem II performance and strengthening photosynthesis. This ultimately manifests as improved seedling phenotypes under salt stress. These findings provide a meaningful entry point for breeding salt-tolerant maize varieties and mitigating the adverse effects of salinized soil on maize growth and yield. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic Stress Responses in Plants—Second Edition)

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23 pages, 5965 KB

Open AccessArticle

Decoding Salinity Tolerance in Salicornia europaea L.: Image-Based Oxidative Phenotyping and Histochemical Mapping of Pectin and Lignin

by Susana Dianey Gallegos Cerda, Aleksandra Orzoł, José Jorge Chanona Pérez, Josué David Hernández Varela, Agnieszka Piernik and Stefany Cárdenas Pérez

Plants 2025, 14(19), 3055; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14193055 - 2 Oct 2025

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Abstract

Halophytes such as Salicornia europaea rely on biochemical and structural mechanisms to survive in saline environments. This study aimed to evaluate oxidative stress and structural defense responses in four inland populations—Poland (Inowrocław, Ciechocinek), Germany (Salzgraben-Salzdahlum, Salz), and Soltauquelle (Soltq)—subjected to 0, 200, 400, and 1000 mM NaCl, using non-destructive, image-based approaches. Lipid peroxidation was assessed via malondialdehyde (MDA) detected with Schiff’s reagent, and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) accumulation was visualized with 3,3′-diaminobenzidine (DAB). Roots and shoots were analyzed through colour image analysis and quantified using a computer vision system (CVS). MDA accumulation revealed population-specific differences, with Salz tending to exhibit lower peroxidation, characterized by lower L* ≈ 42–43 and higher b* ≈ 37–18 in shoots at 200–400 mM, which may reflect a potentially more effective salt-management strategy. Although H₂O₂ responses deviated from a direct salinity-dependent trend, particularly in the tolerant Salz and Soltq populations, both approaches effectively tracked population-specific adaptation, with German populations displaying detectable basal H₂O₂ levels, consistent with its multifunctional signalling role in salt management and growth regulation. Structural defences were further explored through histochemical mapping and image analysis of pectin and lignin distribution, which revealed population-specific patterns consistent with cell wall remodelling under stress. Non-destructive, image-based methods proved effective for detecting oxidative and structural responses in halophytes. Such a non-destructive, cost-efficient, and reproducible approach can accelerate the identification of salt-tolerant ecotypes for saline agriculture and reinforce S. europaea as a model species for elucidating salt-tolerance mechanisms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic Stress Responses in Plants—Second Edition)

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23 pages, 5821 KB

Open AccessArticle

Physiological and Transcriptional Regulation of Salt Tolerance in Thinopyrum ponticum and Screening of Salt-Tolerant Candidate Genes

by Ran Zhang, Rui Zhong, Kuiju Niu, Fang Jia, Yuehan Liu and Xiaoxia Li

Plants 2025, 14(17), 2771; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14172771 - 4 Sep 2025

Viewed by 670

Abstract

The tall wheatgrass Thinopyrum ponticum has excellent saline–alkali tolerance and great potential for restoring saline–alkali land to enhance productivity. This study used the Thinopyrum ponticum cv. “Orbit” variety, which is widely planted in saline–alkali pastures, as the material and artificially simulated salt stress using 150 mM NaCl and 150 mM Na₂SO₄, respectively. The growth and physiological indexes of the leaves and roots of seedlings were measured after various treatment durations, and the transcriptomes of untreated and Na₂SO₄-treated leaves and roots were also analyzed after 24 h of treatment. The results showed that salt stress resulted in significant reductions in leaf relative water content in seedlings and inhibited root elongation growth, with Na₂SO₄ treatment producing a greater impact on plant growth than NaCl treatment. Salt stress significantly alters ion transport and distribution in Thinopyrum ponticum, characterized by pronounced Na⁺ accumulation and a concomitant decline in K⁺ uptake. Additionally, to adapt to salt stress, roots enhance their ability to absorb and transport essential cations, such as Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Fe³⁺, and Cu²⁺. RNA-Seq analysis identified 1682 and 2816 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in leaves and roots under Na₂SO₄ stress, respectively, with 210 common DEGs. Enrichment analyses revealed that DEGs were primarily associated with redox homeostasis, ion balance, and signal transduction. Furthermore, transcription regulation analysis indicated the Thinopyrum ponticum can coordinate the activation of NAC/MYB/WRKY transcription factors, SA/ETH hormone signaling, and Ca²⁺ pathways in response to salt stress. In summary, this study systematically reveals for the first time the molecular mechanisms by which Thinopyrum ponticum responds to Na₂SO₄ stress through coordinated regulation of ion transport, transcription factor networks, and hormone-Ca²⁺ signaling pathways. Based on transcriptomic and protein–protein interaction analyses, nine key candidate genes for saline–alkali tolerance were identified, including UGT7472, JMT, T4E14.7, CAX5, CP1, PXG2 NAMT1, BON3, and APX7. These findings provide novel genetic resources and a theoretical foundation for breeding salt–alkali-tolerant crops. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic Stress Responses in Plants—Second Edition)

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18 pages, 2194 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Age-Dependent Response of Carbon Coordination in the Organs of Pinus yunnanensis Seedlings Under Shade Stress

by Juncheng Han, Yuanxi Liu, Wenhao Zhang, Guihe Duan, Jialan Chen, Weisong Zhu and Junwen Wu

Plants 2025, 14(17), 2679; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14172679 - 27 Aug 2025

Viewed by 448

Abstract

To elucidate shade adaptation mechanisms in Pinus yunnanensis seedlings across different ages, this study established five light gradients (100% full sunlight as control or CK, 80% as L1, 45% as L2, 30% as L3, and 5% as L4) for experimental treatments on one- and three-year-old seedlings. By analyzing dynamic changes in non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) and their components within needles, stems, and roots—combined with a phenotypic plasticity assessment, a correlation analysis, and a principal component analysis—we explored the carbon metabolic adaptations under shade stress. The key results demonstrate the following: (1) Increasing shade intensity significantly reduced the NSCs in the needles and roots of both age groups. The stem NSCs markedly decreased under L1 and L2, indicating “carbon limitation.” However, under severe shade (L3 and L4), the stem NSCs stabilized while the stem soluble sugars gradually increased. In three-year-old Pinus yunnanensis seedlings under the L3 treatment, the ratio of soluble sugars to starch in the stems reached as high as 5.772 g·kg⁻¹, yet the stem NSC content showed no significant change. This pattern exhibited “growth stagnation-carbon enrichment” characteristics. This reveals a physiological strategy for maintaining stem carbon homeostasis through a “structure–metabolism” trade-off under carbon limitation. (2) Shade adaptations diverged by age: one-year-old seedlings employed a short-term “needle–root source–sink reallocation” strategy, whereas three-year-old seedlings developed a “root–stem–needle closed-loop homeostasis regulation” mechanism. (3) Age-specific shade thresholds were identified: one-year-old seedlings required >80% full light to maintain a carbon balance, while three-year-old seedlings exhibited enhanced root carbon storage under moderate shade (45–80% full light). This study clarifies the physiological mechanisms by which P. yunnanensis seedlings of varying ages optimize shade adaptation through organ-specific carbon allocation, providing a theoretical foundation for shade management in artificial forests and understory seedling conservation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic Stress Responses in Plants—Second Edition)

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21 pages, 5398 KB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancing UV-B Protection and Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Tomato Plants: The Role of Silicon Nanoparticles in Photosynthetic Parameters, Pigments, and Secondary Metabolite Production

by Florina Copaciu, Cosmin-Alin Faur, Andrea Bunea, Loredana Leopold, Rodica Maria Sima, Mihai Andrei Lăcătuș, Andreea Lupitu, Cristian Moisa, Dana Maria Copolovici and Lucian Copolovici

Plants 2025, 14(16), 2599; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14162599 - 21 Aug 2025

Viewed by 820

Abstract

Tomato fruit (Solanum lycopersicum) is a valuable agricultural crop worldwide due to its nutritional value and culinary applications, making it one of the most widely consumed vegetables in the human diet. However, excessive solar UV-B radiation represents a significant factor in decreasing productivity, marketable yields, and fruit quality in tomato crops by causing damage to both DNA and the photosynthetic system, as well as chlorophyll degradation. The application of silicon nanoparticles has been shown to increase tolerance to abiotic stressors, including enhanced UV-B radiation. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the protective effects of foliar silicon nanoparticle (SiNP) application on photosynthetic parameters, photosynthetic pigments, and secondary metabolites under enhanced UV-B stress in tomato plants. Photosynthetic parameters (stomatal conductance to water vapor, net CO₂ assimilation rate, transpiration rate, and intercellular CO₂ molar fraction), biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs), chlorophylls, and carotenoids were evaluated. The application of SiNPs showed beneficial effects on plants grown under ambient UV-B conditions, increasing photosynthetic parameters while also enhancing chlorophyll and carotenoid levels. In plants exposed to enhanced UV-B radiation, SiNP treatment helped to maintain and even improve photosynthetic parameters and stomatal function in leaves while also promoting the accumulation of photosynthetic pigments. Additionally, the application of SiNPs also resulted in a slightly higher content of lycopene and total carotenoids in tomato fruits. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic Stress Responses in Plants—Second Edition)

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