Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
7.6
4.1
Journals
Plants
Special Issues
Molecular Mechanisms and Epigenetic Regulation of Abiotic Stress Tolerance in...
share announcement

Molecular Mechanisms and Epigenetic Regulation of Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Plants

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Genetics, Genomics and Biotechnology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 February 2026) | Viewed by 8297

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Hamza Sohail

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
Interests: abiotic stress; cucurbits; cucumber; pumpkin; salinity; drought; horticulture; plant biotechnology
Dr. Xiaodong Yang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
Interests: horticulture research; plant physiology; plant protection

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, extreme temperatures, heavy metal contamination, and nutrient deficiency/toxicity pose significant challenges to global agriculture, threatening crop productivity and food security. Understanding the molecular mechanisms and epigenetic regulations underlying plant tolerance to these environmental challenges is critical for developing resilient crop varieties and ensuring sustainable agriculture in the face of climate change.

This Special Issue aims to collate cutting-edge research and reviews on the molecular pathways and epigenetic modifications that govern abiotic stress tolerance in plants.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Identification and functional characterization of genes and proteins involved in stress-responsive pathways.

2. Role of signaling molecules, transcription factors, and regulatory networks in abiotic stress tolerance and adaptation.

3. Advances in understanding epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs, in modulating stress tolerance.

4. Integrative omics approaches (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics) for dissecting stress tolerance mechanisms.

5. Application of genome editing tools, such as CRISPR-Cas9, to enhance abiotic stress resilience in crops.

6. Translational research for the development of stress-tolerant crops through molecular breeding or biotechnological interventions.

By highlighting the latest advances in this dynamic field, this Special Issue seeks to provide a platform for researchers to share their findings and foster collaborations aimed at addressing global agricultural challenges.

Dr. Hamza Sohail
Dr. Xiaodong Yang
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

  • abiotic stress
  • molecular mechanisms
  • epigenetic regulation
  • stress signaling pathways
  • climate-resilient crops

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

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

Published Papers (6 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

20 pages, 4377 KB  
Article
Transcriptome-Based Dissection of the Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Flooding Stress Responses of Eastern Cottonwood in the Floodplains of the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River
by Guowei Huang, Xueli Zhang, Xinye Zhang, Ning Liu, Changjun Ding, Jinhua Li, Fenfen Liu, Kailian Long, Chengcheng Gao, Jimeng Sun, Chenggong Liu and Qinjun Huang
Plants 2026, 15(6), 958; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15060958 - 20 Mar 2026
Viewed by 543
Abstract
Flooding, as a major abiotic stress, significantly impacts the growth and survival of poplar plantations in the floodplains of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying flooding responses in poplar is crucial for enhancing plantation productivity. [...] Read more.
Flooding, as a major abiotic stress, significantly impacts the growth and survival of poplar plantations in the floodplains of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying flooding responses in poplar is crucial for enhancing plantation productivity. In this study, two important eastern cottonwood cultivars, Populus deltoides ‘Jianghan 1’ (HBI) and P. deltoides Bartr. CL (CL), were investigated. By integrating long-term growth surveys and transcriptome sequencing, we analyzed their phenotypic traits and molecular responses to flooding stress. After 7 years of seasonal flooding, HBI exhibited a survival rate of 73.91%, along with superior height (23.1 m) and diameter at breast height (DBH, 26.3 cm), compared with CL, indicating HBI as a flooding-tolerant cultivar. Transcriptome analysis identified 1098 shared differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the leaves of flooded HBI and CL, which were mainly enriched in stress signal perception, oxidative stress regulation, energy metabolism and circadian rhythm. Cultivar-specific DEG analysis revealed that CL mainly activated pathways related to oxidative stress and damage repair pathways, whereas HBI-specific genes were significantly enriched in hormone signal transduction, growth regulation, flavonoid synthesis and photosynthesis. Based on this distinct enrichment pattern in the tolerant cultivar HBI, we propose that it possesses adaptive advantages under flooding stress. Specifically, HBI likely coordinates multiple physiological processes by activating ethylene and other hormone-related genes, thereby regulating hypoxia adaptation, reoxygenation-induced oxidative stress, photosynthetic recovery, and flavonoid-mediated antioxidant defense. This coordinated regulation collectively sustains growth vigor and enhances survival under seasonal inundation. Our findings demonstrate clear transcriptomic divergence underlying flooding tolerance among poplar cultivars, laying a theoretical foundation for the selection of flooding-tolerant varieties and the sustainable development of forestry in flood-prone regions. Furthermore, these results broaden the current knowledge of flooding stress biology in woody plants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms and Epigenetic Regulation of Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Plants)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 11306 KB  
Article
Genome-Wide Identification of WRKY Group II Genes and the Role of HbWRKY11 in Hordeum brevisubulatum Under Saline-Alkali Stress
by Sihan Chen, Yicheng Yin, Guangyao Qi, Yanda Li, Bello Hassan Jakada, Dan Sun, Xinying Liu and Xingguo Lan
Plants 2026, 15(6), 926; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15060926 - 17 Mar 2026
Viewed by 576
Abstract
The WRKY group II subfamily, a major conserved and plant-specific WRKY transcription factor family, plays a central role in regulating plant responses to abiotic stresses. However, systematic characterization of WRKY group II genes and their involvement in saline–alkali stress responses in Hordeum brevisubulatum [...] Read more.
The WRKY group II subfamily, a major conserved and plant-specific WRKY transcription factor family, plays a central role in regulating plant responses to abiotic stresses. However, systematic characterization of WRKY group II genes and their involvement in saline–alkali stress responses in Hordeum brevisubulatum (Trin.) Link remains largely unexplored. In this study, 23 WRKY group II genes were identified at the genome-wide level in H. brevisubulatum. Phylogenetic analysis classified these genes into five subgroups, with members within each subgroup exhibiting highly conserved motif compositions and gene structures. Promoter analysis revealed abundant cis-acting elements related to stress and defense responses, phytohormone signaling, growth and development, and light responsiveness, suggesting diverse regulatory potential. Transcriptome sequencing and qRT-PCR analysis showed that several HbWRKY genes were responsive to NaHCO3-induced saline-alkali stress. Notably, HbWRKY11 displayed sustained up-regulation and significantly enhanced yeast tolerance to NaHCO3 stress. Overall, this study provides the first systematic analysis of WRKY group II genes transcription factors in H. brevisubulatum and identifies HbWRKY11 as a key candidate gene contributing to saline–alkali stress tolerance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms and Epigenetic Regulation of Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Plants)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 1598 KB  
Article
Chitosan and Microalgae Nanoparticles: Synergistic Role in Enhancing Drought Stress Tolerance in Wheat Seedlings
by Fatemeh Gholizadeh, Agampodi Gihan S. D. De Silva, Asish Samuel, Zoltán Molnár and Tibor Janda
Plants 2026, 15(5), 792; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15050792 - 4 Mar 2026
Viewed by 1116
Abstract
Drought stress is one of the most severe abiotic constraints limiting wheat productivity worldwide, particularly during early developmental stages that determine crop establishment and yield potential. Sustainable, biologically based strategies that enhance drought tolerance without environmental cost are therefore urgently needed. In this [...] Read more.
Drought stress is one of the most severe abiotic constraints limiting wheat productivity worldwide, particularly during early developmental stages that determine crop establishment and yield potential. Sustainable, biologically based strategies that enhance drought tolerance without environmental cost are therefore urgently needed. In this study, we evaluated the individual and combined effects of chitosan (Cs), microalgae (Ma) (Nostoc linckia, MACC-612), and a chitosan–microalgae nanoparticle formulation (Cs-Ma) on germination performance, early seedling growth, and molecular stress responses in two wheat (Mehregan and MV Nádor) cultivars with contrasting drought sensitivity under polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced osmotic stress (−2 and −4 MPa). Drought stress significantly reduced germination percentage, germination rate, and radicle and coleoptile development in both cultivars, especially at −4 MPa. Application of Cs and microalgae individually partially alleviated these negative effects; however, the combined Cs-Ma treatment consistently produced the strongest improvements in seedling vigor and biomass accumulation under both moderate and severe drought stress. Evaluation of drought tolerance using tolerance index (TOL), stress tolerance index (STI), and stress intensity (SI) demonstrated that Cs-Ma markedly increased STI and reduced SI across most germination traits, indicating enhanced drought tolerance and lower stress sensitivity, particularly in MV Nádor. These physiological responses were supported by transcriptional reprogramming in radicle tissues, including upregulation of genes involved in polyamine biosynthesis (TaSPDS, TaSAMDC), phenylpropanoid metabolism (TaPAL), and protein protection (TaHSP70), along with moderated induction of polyamine catabolism (TaPXPAO). Overall, the results reveal a synergistic interaction between chitosan nanoparticles and microalgae biomass, highlighting Cs-Ma as an effective, eco-friendly biostimulant for improving early-stage drought tolerance in wheat. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms and Epigenetic Regulation of Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Plants)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

23 pages, 6240 KB  
Article
A Comprehensive Profiling of the Rice LATERAL ORGAN BOUNDARIES DOMAIN (LBD) Gene Family: Structure, Evolution, and Expressional Dynamics
by Waseem Abbas, Munsif Ali Shad, Wei Li, Abdullah Shalmani, Jian Zhang, Adnan Iqbal and Lin Liu
Plants 2025, 14(23), 3596; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14233596 - 25 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 945
Abstract
The LATERAL ORGAN BOUNDARIES DOMAIN (LBD) gene family encodes plant-specific transcription factors that play vital roles in plant growth, development, and stress responses. Rice (Oryza sativa L.), a staple food for more than half of the world’s population, also serves [...] Read more.
The LATERAL ORGAN BOUNDARIES DOMAIN (LBD) gene family encodes plant-specific transcription factors that play vital roles in plant growth, development, and stress responses. Rice (Oryza sativa L.), a staple food for more than half of the world’s population, also serves as an important model organism for monocot functional genomics. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive genomic survey of the OsLBD gene family in Oryza sativa ssp. japonica using the latest genomic sequence data. A total of 35 members of this family were identified through systematic characterization of their gene structures, conserved domains, phylogenetic relationships, and chromosomal distributions. Our analysis indicated that the expansion of OsLBD genes may have resulted mainly from segmental duplication, with these duplicated genes exhibiting diverse evolutionary fates ranging from functional conservation to expression divergence. Phylogenetic analysis further classified the OsLBD genes into two major groups: Class I and Class II. Expression profiling across various developmental stages demonstrated dynamic spatiotemporal regulation, with certain genes exhibiting tissue-specific expression, particularly in reproductive tissues. Furthermore, a comprehensive co-expression analysis of OsLBD genes and their co-regulators revealed multiple modules with tissue-specific roles in pollen cell wall synthesis and endosperm glycogen biosynthesis. Promoter analysis identified several cis-regulatory elements associated with hormone responses, stress adaptation, and developmental processes, consistent with the observed expression patterns under phytohormone treatments. Comparative genomics revealed a higher degree of synteny between rice and barley than between rice and Arabidopsis, highlighting the evolutionary conservation within the Poaceae family. This study provides a foundational framework for understanding the biological functions of OsLBD genes in rice and identifies promising candidate genes involved in vegetative and reproductive growth, development, and stress responses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms and Epigenetic Regulation of Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Plants)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 3823 KB  
Article
Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Profiling of the RNA-Directed DNA Methylation Pathway Genes in Cucumis sativus L.
by Li Ma, Ziyi Li, Lei Qiu, Jieni Gu, Piaopiao Shi, Xinyi Cao, Xinran Zhang, Xi Xu and Yinbo Ma
Plants 2025, 14(18), 2908; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14182908 - 18 Sep 2025
Viewed by 1254
Abstract
The RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) pathway is a crucial epigenetic mechanism governing plant responses to environmental stress. While the RdDM pathway has been extensively studied in Arabidopsis thaliana, the comprehensive understanding of its components in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) remains lacking. [...] Read more.
The RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) pathway is a crucial epigenetic mechanism governing plant responses to environmental stress. While the RdDM pathway has been extensively studied in Arabidopsis thaliana, the comprehensive understanding of its components in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) remains lacking. In this study, we performed a genome-wide identification and characterization of RdDM pathway genes in cucumber, followed by an analysis of their expression patterns across various tissues and under multiple abiotic stress conditions. A total of 67 putative CsRdDM genes were identified, which are unevenly distributed across the cucumber’s chromosomes. Phylogenetic and gene structure analyses revealed considerable evolutionary divergence, particularly within the key Argonaute gene family (CsAGO). Crucially, the promoter regions of CsRdDM genes were found to contain cis-regulatory elements associated with abiotic stress, light signaling, and development, suggesting their potential involvement in complex regulatory networks. RT-qPCR assays confirmed that CsRdDM genes exhibit distinct and stress-specific transcriptional patterns. Notably, several genes such as CsAGO4 and CsIDN2 showed antagonistic expression between roots and leaves under drought (PEG-6000) stress, implying a sophisticated, tissue-specific defense mechanism. Among them, CsAGO4 emerged as a candidate gene responsive to abiotic stress. Those findings provide new insights into the regulatory roles of CsRdDM genes under abiotic stress and highlight candidate genes for the genetic improvement of stress tolerance in cucumber. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms and Epigenetic Regulation of Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Plants)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 3930 KB  
Article
Integrated Transcriptome and Metabolome Analysis of Mature Stage Sand Pear Fruit Response to High-Temperature Stress
by Yu-Xuan Li, Jia-Bei Cai and Xiao Liu
Plants 2025, 14(17), 2776; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14172776 - 4 Sep 2025
Viewed by 1217
Abstract
Sand pear is a fruit tree crop with high economic value, widely cultivated in East Asia. However, ripening fruits often suffer from high-temperature stress, which has adverse effects on the quality and yield of the fruit. In this study, we perform high-temperature treatment [...] Read more.
Sand pear is a fruit tree crop with high economic value, widely cultivated in East Asia. However, ripening fruits often suffer from high-temperature stress, which has adverse effects on the quality and yield of the fruit. In this study, we perform high-temperature treatment on mature stage ‘Housui’ pear fruits. The results showed that heat stress decreased fruit firmness and mineral elements, as well as lead to the flesh appearance of watercore. High temperature induces H2O2, MDA, and the antioxidant enzyme activity including SOD, APX, POD, and CAT were significantly increased. Transcriptome and metabolomic analyses revealed that heat stress up-regulated genes related to sucrose synthesis (SPS) while down-regulating those involved in sucrose degradation (SS and NI), resulting in sucrose accumulation. Moreover, the expression of sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) and sorbitol transporter (SOT) genes was markedly suppressed, leading to sorbitol accumulation and impaired transport, which promoted watercore development. High temperature also stimulated the expression of ethylene synthesis genes, accelerating abnormal ripening of fruits. In addition, high temperature decreased the accumulation of organic acid and bioactive compounds. Additionally, several antioxidant enzymes genes, five heat shock transcription factors (HSFs) and 34 heat shock protein (HSP) genes were significantly up-regulated. Together, these findings provided new insights into the transcriptional response and metabolomic reprogramming of sand pear response to high-temperature stress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms and Epigenetic Regulation of Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Plants)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-6
Back to TopTop