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Responses of Crops to Abiotic Stress

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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: 30 April 2025 | Viewed by 12286

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Dr. Georgios Koubouris

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Hellenic Agricultural Organization ELGO-DIMITRA, Olive Cultivation Lab, Institute of Olive Tree, Subtropical Crops and Viticulture, 73134 Chania, Greece
Interests: climate change; agricultural sustainability; circular economy; soil, water and biodiversity conservation; remote sensing; plant breeding; ecosystem services; olive growing
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Dr. Giora Ben-Ari

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Volcani Center, Institute of Plant Sciences, ARO, Rishon LeZion 7528809, Israel
Interests: olive pollination; biochemical and anatomical characterization of the olive abscission zone in fruits and leaves; olive breeding program; the effects of climate change on olive productivity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

At present, the agricultural industry is undergoing a marked transformation in adjusting to today’s economic and climatic demands. Global climate change is identified as a major threat to the survival of natural ecosystems. Climate change is a dynamic, multifaceted system of alterations in environmental conditions that affect abiotic and biotic components of the world. It results in alterations in environmental conditions such as heat waves, rainfall intensity, CO₂ concentration and temperature that lead to a rise in new pests, weeds and
pathogens. As such, climate change has affected plant physiology. Abiotic stresses are often interrelated in causing morphological, physiological, biochemical and molecular changes that adversely affect plant growth and productivity, ultimately leading to a reduced yield. The sexual reproductive phase in plants has been proven to be vulnerable to the negative effects of abiotic stress.

The aim of this Special Issue is to bring together the latest advances in various aspects of the effects of climate change on crop yield and quality. We welcome original research papers, perspectives, opinions, reviews, modeling approaches and methods that will be of interest to all those involved in adapting agriculture to the challenges of the modern world and the current and future environmental conditions.

Dr. Georgios Koubouris
Dr. Giora Ben-Ari
Guest Editors

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Keywords

climate change
stress
plant physiology
resilience
plant phenotyping
drought
water
soil
biodiversity
ecosystem
ecology

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Related Special Issue

Responses of Crops to Abiotic Stress—2nd Edition in Plants

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Research

17 pages, 4898 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of Heat Shock Transcription Factors in Camellia sinensis Under Abiotic Stress

by Guimin Li, Xinying Shi, Qinmin Lin, Mengmeng Lv, Jing Chen, Yingxin Wen, Zhiyi Feng, Syed Muhammad Azam, Yan Cheng, Shucai Wang and Shijiang Cao

Plants 2025, 14(5), 697; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14050697 - 24 Feb 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 430

Abstract

The tea plant (Camellia sinensis) is an economically important crop that plays an important role not only in the beverage industry but also in the pharmaceutical industry. The environment has a great influence on the quality of the tea plant. Heat shock factors (Hsfs) are transcriptional regulators that control the plant response to adversity. However, only a limited number of studies have reported the Hsf gene in Camellia sinensis, and most of these reports involve high-temperature, drought, and salt stress. Research on light, dark, and cold stress is limited. In this study, 22 CsHsf genes were obtained by whole genome sequencing and found to be located on 11 chromosomes. In addition, the gene structure, protein motif, and phylogeny were studied. We classified the genes into three major subfamilies: CsHsfA, CsHsfB, and CsHsfC. Interestingly, we found that there was more alignment between CsHsf and Hsf genes in dicotyledons, including Arabidopsis thaliana and Solanum lycopersicum, than in the monocotyledon Oryza sativa. The expression of many CsHsf genes was affected by low-temperature, light, and dark abiotic stresses. Notably, CsHsf15 and CsHsf16 showed high induction rates under both light and cold stress, and both genes carried cis-acting elements associated with light and low-temperature responses. These results lay a solid groundwork for further investigations into the involvement of CsHsf genes in the response of Camellia sinensis to abiotic stresses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Responses of Crops to Abiotic Stress)

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19 pages, 2641 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Nitrogen Fertilization Coupled with Zinc Foliar Applications Modulate the Production, Quality, and Stress Response of Sideritis cypria Plants Grown Hydroponically Under Excess Copper Concentrations

by Nikolaos Tzortzakis, Giannis Neofytou and Antonios Chrysargyris

Plants 2025, 14(5), 691; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14050691 - 24 Feb 2025

Viewed by 355

Abstract

The demand for medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) has grown significantly in recent years, due to their therapeutic value. Among these, Sideritis cypria Post is a promising yet under-evaluated species. Existing research assessing the effects of nitrogen (N) fertilization, zinc (Zn) foliar applications, and toxic copper (Cu) concentrations often overlooks MAPs such as S. cypria. Additionally, the interactions among these parameters, as well as their combined roles in MAPs plant physiology and secondary metabolite biosynthesis, have yet to be fully elucidated. In this study, hydroponically grown S. cypria plants were cultivated using nutrient solutions (NSs) with different N (75, 150, and 300 mg L⁻¹) and Cu (5 and 100 μM) levels, combined with foliar spraying (0 and 1.74 mM Zn), to evaluate the growth, mineral uptake, secondary metabolites production and stress response. N levels at 75 and 150 mg L⁻¹ resulted in increased dry matter content, whereas fresh biomass production was preserved. Foliar Zn applications enhanced chlorophylls and antioxidants, contingent upon N and Cu in the NS. Increased N accumulation was observed via the increase in N in the NS, while foliar Zn enhanced its uptake at moderate N levels. Excess Cu stimulated its accumulation, while a reduction was observed with foliar Zn at low and high N levels. Excess Cu increased lipid peroxidation (MDA) at low and moderate N in the NS, while foliar Zn decreased both MDA and hydrogen peroxide, contingent upon Cu and N levels. Low-to-moderate N in the NS can be applied under excess Cu without compromising the yield, quality, and safety of S. cypria plants, while foliar Zn can modulate the stress response of plants under excess Cu and the production of secondary metabolites. These results may be utilized for optimizing nutrient management strategies for the cultivation of MAPs, contributing to conservation efforts by supporting the cultivation of endemic species like S. cypria, considering the potential benefits of Zn foliar applications under Cu-contaminated conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Responses of Crops to Abiotic Stress)

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27 pages, 5727 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genome-Wide Identification, Characterization, and Expression Analysis of BES1 Family Genes in ‘Tieguanyin’ Tea Under Abiotic Stress

by Yanzi Zhang, Yanlin Zhang, Zhicheng Yang, Qingyan Li, Weixiang Chen, Xinyan Wen, Hao Chen and Shijiang Cao

Plants 2025, 14(3), 473; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14030473 - 5 Feb 2025

Viewed by 696

Abstract

The BRI1-EMS-SUPPRESSOR 1 (BES1) family comprises plant-specific transcription factors, which are distinguished by atypical bHLH domains. Over the past two decades, genetic and biochemical studies have established that members of the BRI1-EMS-SUPPRESSOR 1 (BES1) family are crucial for regulating the expression of genes involved in brassinosteroid (BR) response in rapeseed. Due to the significance of the BES1 gene family, extensive research has been conducted to investigate its functional properties. This study presents a comprehensive identification and computational analysis of BES1 genes in ‘Tieguanyin’ (TGY) tea (Camellia sinensis). A total of 10 BES1 genes were initially identified in the TGY genome. Through phylogenetic tree analysis, this study uniquely revealed that CsBES1.2 and CsBES1.5 cluster with SlBES1.8 from Solanum lycopersicum, indicating their critical roles in fruit growth and development. Synteny analysis identified 20 syntenic genes, suggesting the conservation of their evolutionary functions. Analysis of the promoter regions revealed two types of light-responsive cis-elements, with CsBES1.4 exhibiting the highest number of light-related cis-elements (13), followed by CsBES1.9 and CsBES1.10. Additional validation via qRT-PCR experiments showed that CsBES1.9 and CsBES1.10 were significantly upregulated under light exposure, with CsBES1.10 reaching approximately six times the expression level of the control after 4 h. These results suggest that CsBES1.9 and CsBES1.4 could play crucial roles in responding to abiotic stress. This study offers novel insights into the functional roles of the BES1 gene family in ‘Tieguanyin’ tea and establishes a significant foundation for future research, especially in exploring the roles of these genes in response to abiotic stresses, such as light exposure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Responses of Crops to Abiotic Stress)

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19 pages, 6187 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comprehensive Omics Analysis Reveals Cold-Induced Metabolic Reprogramming and Alternative Splicing in Dendrobium officinale

by Xinqiao Zhan, Zhangqun Li, Minxia Pang, Guoxiang Yao and Bizeng Mao

Plants 2025, 14(3), 412; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14030412 - 30 Jan 2025

Viewed by 706

Abstract

Dendrobium officinale is an economically important orchid species that is sensitive to cold stress. Understanding the molecular and metabolic mechanisms underlying its response to cold is crucial for developing strategies to improve its cold tolerance. In this study, we constructed a comprehensive cold stress response dataset for D. officinale and characterized its regulatory landscape in response to varying cold stress conditions. The glycine metabolism-related genes Dca003913 and Dca022726 play pivotal roles in both cold and drought stress adaptation, and their expression is not upregulated by hormones or fungi infection. Carbohydrate metabolism showed specific dynamic changes in freezing injury cells, which involved a variety of hormonal responses. The abundance of sphingolipids was notably higher in the freezing treatment (FT) compared to the freezing recovery (FR) plants, indicating specialized metabolic adaptations at different cold intensities. An alternative splicing (AS) analysis identified 368 DAS genes, with spliceosome pathways significantly enriched. Three key ubiquitination proteins (PKU64802, XP_020672210, and PKU75555) were found to regulate splicing factors, which showed increased abundance in cold stress. This study highlights the roles of metabolic reprogramming and RNA splicing in cold adaptation, revealing a complex molecular network activated in response to cold stress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Responses of Crops to Abiotic Stress)

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23 pages, 10756 KiB

Open AccessArticle

WRKY Transcription Factors Modulate the Flavonoid Pathway of Rhododendron chrysanthum Pall. Under UV-B Stress

by Wang Yu, Xiangru Zhou, Jinhao Meng, Hongwei Xu and Xiaofu Zhou

Plants 2025, 14(1), 133; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14010133 - 4 Jan 2025

Viewed by 847

Abstract

The depletion of the ozone layer has resulted in elevated ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation levels, posing a significant risk to terrestrial plant growth. Rhododendron chrysanthum Pall. (R. chrysanthum), adapted to high-altitude and high-irradiation environments, has developed unique adaptive mechanisms. This study exposed R. chrysanthum to UV-B radiation for two days, with an 8 h daily treatment, utilizing metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses to explore the role of WRKY transcription factors in the plant’s UV-B stress response and their regulation of flavonoid synthesis. UV-B stress resulted in a significant decrease in rETR and Ik and a significant increase in 1-qP. These chlorophyll fluorescence parameters indicate that UV-B stress impaired photosynthesis in R. chrysanthum. Faced with the detrimental impact of UV-B radiation, R. chrysanthum is capable of mitigating its effects by modulating its flavonoid biosynthetic pathways to adapt positively to the stress. This study revealed changes in the expression of 113 flavonoid-related metabolites and 42 associated genes, with WRKY transcription factors showing significant correlation with these alterations. WRKY transcription factors can influence the expression of key enzyme genes in the flavonoid metabolic pathway, thereby affecting metabolite production. A theoretical reference for investigating plant stress physiology is provided in this work, which also offers insights into the stress responses of alpine plants under adverse conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Responses of Crops to Abiotic Stress)

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24 pages, 10194 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multi-Omics Research Reveals the Effects of the ABA-Regulated Phenylpropanoid Biosynthesis Pathway on the UV-B Response in Rhododendron chrysanthum Pall.

by Wang Yu, Xiangru Zhou, Jinhao Meng, Xiaofu Zhou and Hongwei Xu

Plants 2025, 14(1), 101; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14010101 - 1 Jan 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 983

Abstract

The growing depletion of the ozone layer has led to increased ultraviolet B (UV-B) radiation, prompting plants like the alpine Rhododendron chrysanthum Pall. (R. chrysanthum) to adapt to these harsh conditions. This study explored how abscisic acid (ABA) signaling influences R. chrysanthum’s metabolic responses under UV-B stress. R. chrysanthum was treated with UV-B radiation and exogenous ABA for widely targeted metabolomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics assays, and relevant chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were also determined. It was observed that UV-B stress negatively impacts the plant’s photosynthetic machinery, disrupting multiple metabolic processes. Multi-omics analysis revealed that ABA application mitigates the detrimental effects of UV-B on photosynthesis and bolsters the plant’s antioxidant defenses. Additionally, both UV-B exposure and ABA treatment significantly influenced the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway, activating key enzyme genes, such as 4CL, CCR, and HCT. The study also highlighted the MYB–bHLH–WD40 (MBW) complex’s role in regulating this pathway and its interaction with ABA signaling components. These findings underscore ABA’s crucial function in improving plant resistance to UV-B stress and offer novel insights into plant stress biology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Responses of Crops to Abiotic Stress)

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21 pages, 12169 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of the Melon Aldehyde Dehydrogenase (ALDH) Gene Family in Response to Abiotic and Biotic Stresses

by Dekun Yang, Hongli Chen, Yu Zhang, Yan Wang, Yongqi Zhai, Gang Xu, Qiangqiang Ding, Mingxia Wang, Qi-an Zhang, Xiaomin Lu and Congsheng Yan

Plants 2024, 13(20), 2939; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13202939 - 21 Oct 2024

Viewed by 1417

Abstract

Through the integration of genomic information, transcriptome sequencing data, and bioinformatics methods, we conducted a comprehensive identification of the ALDH gene family in melon. We explored the impact of this gene family on melon growth, development, and their expression patterns in various tissues and under different stress conditions. Our study discovered a total of 17 ALDH genes spread across chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, and 12 in the melon genome. Through a phylogenetic analysis, these genes were classified into 10 distinct subfamilies. Notably, genes within the same subfamily exhibited consistent gene structures and conserved motifs. Our study discovered a pair of fragmental duplications within the melon ALDH gene. Furthermore, there was a noticeable collinearity relationship between the melon’s ALDH gene and that of Arabidopsis (12 times), and rice (3 times). Transcriptome data reanalysis revealed that some ALDH genes consistently expressed highly across all tissues and developmental stages, while others were tissue- or stage-specific. We analyzed the ALDH gene’s expression patterns under six stress types, namely salt, cold, waterlogged, powdery mildew, Fusarium wilt, and gummy stem blight. The results showed differential expression of CmALDH2C4 and CmALDH11A3 under all stress conditions, signifying their crucial roles in melon growth and stress response. RT-qPCR (quantitative reverse transcription PCR) analysis further corroborated these findings. This study paves the way for future genetic improvements in melon molecular breeding. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Responses of Crops to Abiotic Stress)

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17 pages, 4491 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Analysis of Water Stress Regimes in Avocado Plants during the Early Development Stage

by Tatiana Rondon, Manuel Guzmán-Hernández, Maria C. Torres-Madronero, Maria Casamitjana, Lucas Cano, July Galeano and Manuel Goez

Plants 2024, 13(18), 2660; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13182660 - 23 Sep 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1411

Abstract

The avocado cv. Hass requires a suitable rootstock for optimal development under water stress. This study evaluated the performance of two avocado rootstocks (ANRR88 and ANGI52) grafted onto cv. Hass under four water stress conditions, 50% and 25% deficit, and 50% and 25% excess during the nursery stage. Plant height, leaf area (LA), dry matter (DM), and Carbon (OC) content in the roots, stems, and leaves were measured. Root traits were evaluated using digital imaging, and three vegetation indices (NDVI, CI_RE, and MTCI) were used to quantify stress. The results showed that genotype significantly influenced the response to water stress. ANRR88 exhibited adaptation to moderate to high water deficits. ANGI52 adapted better to both water deficit and excess, and showed greater root exploration. LA and DM reductions of up to 60% were observed in ANRR88, suggesting a higher sensitivity to extreme changes in water availability. More than 90% of the total OC accumulation was observed in the stem and roots. The NDVI and the MTCI quantified the presence and levels of stress applied, and the 720 nm band provided high precision and speed for detecting stress. These insights are crucial for selecting rootstocks that ensure optimal performance under varying water availability, enhancing productivity and sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Responses of Crops to Abiotic Stress)

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17 pages, 10495 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genome-Wide Identification and Analysis of Maize DnaJ Family Genes in Response to Salt, Heat, and Cold at the Seedling Stage

by Gang Li, Ziqiang Chen, Xinrui Guo, Dagang Tian, Chenchen Li, Min Lin, Changquan Hu and Jingwan Yan

Plants 2024, 13(17), 2488; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13172488 - 5 Sep 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1142

Abstract

DnaJ proteins, also known as HSP40s, play a key role in plant growth and development, and response to environmental stress. However, little comprehensive research has been conducted on the DnaJ gene family in maize. Here, we identify 91 ZmDnaJ genes from maize, which are likely distributed in the chloroplast, nucleus, and cytoplasm. Our analysis revealed that ZmDnaJs were classified into three types, with conserved protein motifs and gene structures within the same type, particularly among members of the same subfamily. Gene duplication events have likely contributed to the expansion of the ZmDnaJ family in maize. Analysis of cis-regulatory elements in ZmDnaJ promoters suggested involvement in stress responses, growth and development, and phytohormone sensitivity in maize. Specifically, four cis-acting regulatory elements associated with stress responses and phytohormone regulation indicated a role in adaptation. RNA-seq analysis showed constitutive expression of most ZmDnaJ genes, some specifically in pollen and endosperm. More importantly, certain genes also responded to salt, heat, and cold stresses, indicating potential interaction between stress regulatory networks. Furthermore, early responses to heat stress varied among five inbred lines, with upregulation of almost tested ZmDnaJ genes in B73 and B104 after 6 h, and fewer genes upregulated in QB1314, MD108, and Zheng58. After 72 h, most ZmDnaJ genes in the heat-sensitive inbred lines (B73 and B104) returned to normal levels, while many genes, including ZmDnaJ55, 79, 88, 90, and 91, remained upregulated in the heat-tolerant inbred lines (QB1314, MD108, and Zheng58) suggesting a synergistic function for prolonged protection against heat stress. In conclusion, our study provides a comprehensive analysis of the ZmDnaJ family in maize and demonstrates a correlation between heat stress tolerance and the regulation of gene expression within this family. These offer a theoretical basis for future functional validation of these genes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Responses of Crops to Abiotic Stress)

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15 pages, 8770 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Overexpression of a ‘Paulownia fortunei’ MYB Factor Gene, PfMYB44, Increases Salt and Drought Tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana

by Guijie Luo, Weijia Cai, Hao Wang, Wei Liu, Xu Liu, Shizheng Shi and Lei Wang

Plants 2024, 13(16), 2264; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13162264 - 15 Aug 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1331

Abstract

Paulownia fortunei (Seem.) Hemsl is a Paulownia Sieb.et tree of the family Scrophulariaceae. It has become an important short-to-medium-term fast-growing multi-purpose tree species in China due to its rapid growth, strong adaptability, and excellent material properties. MYB transcription factors in plants have numerous and diverse functions, playing important roles in various aspects such as plant stress response. To investigate the function of MYB transcription factors in Paulownia fortunei, this study used PCR technology to clone the PfMYB44 gene from Paulownia fortunei. The homology of PfMYB44 and SiMYB44 (Sesamum indicum) was the highest. Expression analysis results showed that PfMYB44 was expressed in the root, stem, young leaf, and mature leaf of Paulownia fortunei, with the highest content in the root. Cold, drought, hot, salt, and ABA treatments could increase the expression level of PfMYB44. Overexpression-PfMYB44 plants were constructed, and physiological and molecular analysis showed that PfMYB44 could positively regulate salt and drought stresses. Under drought stress, the expression levels of AtP5CS, AtCAT1, AtNCED3 and AtSnRK2.4 in transgenic lines were significantly induced. Salt stress induced the expression of AtNHX1, AtSOS1, AtSOS2 and AtSOS3 genes, and the relative expression levels of these genes in transgenic Arabidopsis were higher. In conclusion, the functional study of PfMYB44 laid a certain foundation for the study of Paulownia stress resistance, and was helpful to the study of its stress resistance mechanism and the cultivation of new stress resistance varieties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Responses of Crops to Abiotic Stress)

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17 pages, 6001 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Overexpression of Abscisic Acid Biosynthesis Gene OsNCED3 Enhances Survival Rate and Tolerance to Alkaline Stress in Rice Seedlings

by Zhonghui Feng, Yang Xu, Zhiming Xie, Yaqiong Yang, Guanru Lu, Yangyang Jin, Mingming Wang, Miao Liu, Haoyu Yang, Weiqiang Li and Zhengwei Liang

Plants 2024, 13(12), 1713; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13121713 - 20 Jun 2024

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1951

Abstract

Alkaline stress with high pH levels could significantly influence plant growth and survival. The enzyme 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED) serves as a critical bottleneck in the biosynthesis of abscisic acid (ABA), making it essential for regulating stress tolerance. Here, we show that OsNCED3-overexpressing rice lines have increased ABA content by up to 50.90% and improved transcription levels of numerous genes involved in stress responses that significantly enhance seedling survival rates. Overexpression of OsNCED3 increased the dry weight contents of the total chlorophyll, proline, soluble sugar, starch, and the activities of antioxidant enzymes of rice seedlings, while reducing the contents of O₂·⁻, H₂O₂, and malondialdehyde under hydroponic alkaline stress conditions simulated by 10, 15, and 20 mmol L⁻¹ of Na₂CO₃. Additionally, the OsNCED3-overexpressing rice lines exhibited a notable increase in the expression of OsNCED3; ABA response-related genes OsSalT and OsWsi18; ion homeostasis-related genes OsAKT1, OsHKT1;5, OsSOS1, and OsNHX5; and ROS scavenging-related genes OsCu/Zn-SOD, OsFe-SOD, OsPOX1, OsCATA, OsCATB, and OsAPX1 in rice seedling leaves. The results of these findings suggest that overexpression of OsNCED3 upregulates endogenous ABA levels and the expression of stress response genes, which represents an innovative molecular approach for enhancing the alkaline tolerance of rice seedlings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Responses of Crops to Abiotic Stress)

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