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Environmental Pollution & Climate Change: Responses of Plant Organisms to Harsh Environments

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A special issue of Stresses (ISSN 2673-7140). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant and Photoautotrophic Stresses".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2023) | Viewed by 89279

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Prof. Dr. Marcello Iriti

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Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
Interests: essential oils; bioactive phytochemicals; ethnopharmacology; antimicrobial resistance; one health; food security
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Dr. Georgios Liakopoulos

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Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Morphology, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, 118 55 Athens, Greece
Interests: photosynthesis and photoprotection under stress; plant tissue optics; role of secondary metabolites in plant stress tolerance
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Dr. Eleni Tani

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Laboratory of Plant Breeding and Biometry, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 11855 Athens, Greece
Interests: epigenetics and abiotic/biotic stresses; plant breeding under abiotic and biotic stresses; breeding for weed management; relationships between wild relatives and cultivated species
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In their environment, plants have to cope with a plethora of adverse and stressful conditions due to extreme meteorological events, temperature fluctuations, drought, flooding, UV and high solar radiation, organic and inorganic pollutants, etc. Anthropogenic inputs are largely responsible for climate change. Over the past century, human activities have released huge amounts of CO₂ and other greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels into the environment, thus affecting plant health and distribution. As sessile organisms, plants are not able to escape from a changing milieu, and they have therefore evolved an array of strategies to defend themselves from a wide range of stressors. In other words, the evolutionary success of plants has depended on their genotypic/phenotypic plasticity, resilience, and metabolic diversity.

In this very wide context, we invite investigators to submit both original research and review articles that explore all these aspects, in open and/or confined environments.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

Global change biology
Air and soil pollution
Tropospheric ozone
Xenobiotics
Heavy metals
Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs)
Secondary metabolism and metabolites
Chemical ecology
Ecotoxicology
Loss of biodiversity

Dr. Marcello Iriti
Dr. Georgios Liakopoulos
Dr. Eleni Tani
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. Stresses is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

14 pages, 2599 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prominent Effects of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Roots of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Grown under Salinity Stress

by Abhishek Singh, Rakesh Singh Sengar, Uday Pratap Shahi, Vishnu D. Rajput, Tatiana Minkina and Karen A. Ghazaryan

Stresses 2023, 3(1), 33-46; https://doi.org/10.3390/stresses3010004 - 26 Dec 2022

Cited by 71 | Viewed by 4936

Abstract

The morphological plasticity of plant roots is a key factor in their ability to tolerate a wide range of edaphic stresses. There are many unanswered questions relating to nanotechnology and its potential uses for sustainable agriculture. The main purpose of this study was to examine the effects of salinity-induced morphogenic responses and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) on root characteristics, growth, MDA content, antioxidant enzymatic activity, and root ion accumulation in rice (Oryza sativa L.). The experiment was conducted in a hydroponic culture containing 50 mg/L of ZnO-NPs and different concentrations (60, 80, and 100 mM) of NaCl for 14 days. The results indicated a decrease in rice root growth due to exposure to salinity (length, fresh, and root dry weight). The results showed that salinity caused a reduction in rice root growth (length, fresh, and root dry weight). Higher root sodium (Na⁺) accumulation, MDA content, and potassium level decreased with increasing salinity. Root length, root fresh weight, root dry weight, root K⁺ content, and root antioxidant enzymatic activity were all enhanced by applying 50 mg/L ZnO-NPs often in salinity. SEM analysis revealed that ZnO-NPs treatments significantly improved root morphology. There was a notable decrease in root Na⁺ content as a result, which improved the K⁺/Na⁺ ratio in the rice’s root system. These findings suggest that O. sativa, when treated with ZnO-NPs, can thrive under salt-stress conditions, opening up the possibility of cultivating the plant in extreme climates. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Pollution & Climate Change: Responses of Plant Organisms to Harsh Environments)

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11 pages, 578 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Efficacy of Green Extracting Solvents on Antioxidant, Xanthine Oxidase, and Plant Inhibitory Potentials of Solid-Based Residues (SBRs) of Cordyceps militaris

by Truong Ngoc Minh, Le Viet Anh, Nguyen Quang Trung, Bui Quang Minh and Tran Dang Xuan

Stresses 2023, 3(1), 11-21; https://doi.org/10.3390/stresses3010002 - 21 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2150

Abstract

Solid-based residues (SBRs) of Cordyceps militaris are often considered as waste after the cultivation of the fruiting body. To demonstrate the value of this by-product, different ratios of two favorable green solvents (EtOH and water) were employed to optimize the yields of cordycepin (Cor) and adenosine (Ado) and investigate relevant activities of plant growth inhibition (allelopathy), antioxidants, and xanthine oxidase. The SBR extracts of 60% EtOH-40% water (W4) and 40% EtOH-60% water (W6) exhibited the highest antioxidant activity as well as yielded the optimum content of Cor and Ado. The W4 and Wt (hot water) exhibited maximum inhibitory effects on the growth of Raphanus sativus (radish), Lactuca sativa (lettuce) and two noxious weeds, Echinochloa crus-galli (barnyard grass) and Bidens pilosa (beggarticks). Furthermore, GC-MS scan analysis revealed the presence of 14 major compounds in the SBRs. W4 is the best solvent to optimize yields of Cor and Ado, as well as having the strongest levels of antioxidant activity, xanthine oxidase, and growth-inhibitory activity. This study reveals that SBRs are a potential source of medicinal and agricultural utilization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Pollution & Climate Change: Responses of Plant Organisms to Harsh Environments)

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23 pages, 6788 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Contribution of Pulses to Agrobiodiversity in the View of EU Protein Strategy

by Anna Divéky-Ertsey, Izóra Gál, Krisztina Madaras, Péter Pusztai and László Csambalik

Stresses 2022, 2(1), 90-112; https://doi.org/10.3390/stresses2010008 - 14 Feb 2022

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4748

Abstract

The importance of legume crops in global agricultural systems is inevitable; conversely, less than 4% of European agricultural lands are dedicated for these plants. Besides total loss of biodiversity, agrobiodiversity is also in danger. The production of legumes diversifies arable plant production and supports the nutrient management of the agroecosystem, as well as that of the whole ecosystem. Increasing soybean production area means that other pulses are grown on smaller areas, that means a reduced resiliency of the whole production system. Expanding environmental stresses of climate change and intensive agricultural practices are easier to counteract with help of diversity on species and on genetic level as well. As a consequence of climate change and targeted breeding of the last decade, agricultural lands appropriate for soybean production shows an increase in Europe. The self-sufficiency rates of the European Union concerning single protein sources shows fluctuations. The easier utilization of soy-based products as forage displaces the use of other pulses, which are traditionally produced as protein crops. Besides protein flow, these leguminous plants have an important role in different levels of agricultural systems as well. Several recent initiatives aim to reduce the serious protein exposure of the EU. These programs, beyond the introduction and technological development of soybean production, always mention the strengthening of the role of other pulses. In this study, the last decades of EU pulse utilization were analyzed, using crop yield, crop harvested area, certified seed yield, seed production area, number of registered varieties, and the number of scientific publications as indicators to summarize trends of EU field bean, field pea, lupin, chickpea, lentil, and soybean production in the view of targeted protein initiatives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Pollution & Climate Change: Responses of Plant Organisms to Harsh Environments)

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26 pages, 1435 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Response of Wheat Genotypes to Drought Stress Stimulated by PEG

by Vandana Sharma, Ashwini Kumar, Astha Chaudhary, Anurag Mishra, Suniti Rawat, Basavaraj Y. B., Vaishali Shami and Prashant Kaushik

Stresses 2022, 2(1), 26-51; https://doi.org/10.3390/stresses2010003 - 29 Jan 2022

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 6224

Abstract

Wheat is a cereal grain crop that is commonly cultivated and is a good source of nutrients that are beneficial to human health. In recent years, the productivity of wheat has been steadily declining, with abiotic pressures accounting for almost half of all yield losses. Drought stress is a significant limiting factor for plant development and production around the planet. The influence of polyethylene glycol (PEG) (at concentrations of 5, 10, and 15%)-induced drought stress on the morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics of fifteen wheat genotypes was investigated in this work. Overall, it was discovered that morphological and physiological indicators such as germination % and shoot-root lengths during the seedling stage had reduced significantly. The proline content, on the other hand, was shown to be positively correlated with the concentration of PEG treatments. There was a significant difference between the genotypes HD2733, HD2888, and RAJ3765 regarding tolerance to abiotic stress caused by drought. A further finding was that under stressful settings, the first three main components explained 56.65 percent, 65.06 percent, and 72.47 percent of the total variability in PEG treatment levels of five, ten, and fifteen percent, respectively. These collective morphological and physiological parameters, and analyses of their diverse responses, could be used for screening of drought tolerance among the 15 wheat genotypes to select for significant drought tolerance and diverse molecular responses during breeding of stress resistant forms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Pollution & Climate Change: Responses of Plant Organisms to Harsh Environments)

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12 pages, 273 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Glomus mosseae and Pseudomonas fluorescens Application Sustains Yield and Promote Tolerance to Water Stress in Helianthus annuus L.

by Meenakshi Sharma, Anil Kumar Delta and Prashant Kaushik

Stresses 2021, 1(4), 305-316; https://doi.org/10.3390/stresses1040022 - 16 Dec 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3471

Abstract

The inoculation of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) plants with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can significantly enhance its growth and yield in a sustainable manner. Drought tolerance is mediated by a combination of direct AMF and PGPR benefits that boost the plant’s natural ability to cope with stress, whereas drought mitigation is mediated by indirect AMF and PGPR benefits and increased water uptake. An experiment was carried out to demonstrate the interactive effects of AMF (Glomus mosseae) alone or in association with PGPR (Pseudomonas fluorescens) under water-stressed conditions in order to assess their biofertilizer efficiency. Accordingly, various morphological and biochemical parameters were studied, and the results suggested that all the co-inoculation treatments displayed beneficial effects. Still, the combination of G. mosseae + P. fluorescens showed the maximum increment in all the parameters considered, i.e., plant height and weight, leaves length and width, number of leaves per plant, specific leaf weight, relative leaf water content (RLWC), photosynthetic efficiency, seed length, width, and area, seed yield per plant, number of seeds per flower, days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, flower and head diameter, harvest index, oil content, fatty acid composition (palmitic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid, and linoleic acid), and total yield. The improvement in different parameters may be attributed to the increased availability of nutrients due to the symbiotic association of AMF and PGPR with plant roots along with enhanced root structures for more water absorption under stressed conditions. Therefore, the results suggested that they offer a promising bio-control strategy for crop protection as biofertilizers combined in one formulation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Pollution & Climate Change: Responses of Plant Organisms to Harsh Environments)

15 pages, 1953 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Utilization of Tomato Landraces to Improve Seedling Performance under Salt Stress

by Kalliopi Kadoglidou, Aliki Xanthopoulou, Apostolos Kalyvas and Ifigeneia Mellidou

Stresses 2021, 1(4), 238-252; https://doi.org/10.3390/stresses1040017 - 28 Oct 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2895

Abstract

Salt stress is considered as one of the most frequent factors limiting plant growth and productivity of crops worldwide. The aim of the study was to evaluate physiological and biochemical responses of nine diverse tomato genotypes exposed to salt stress. In this regard, four-week-old seedlings of one modern variety, five landraces, the salt-sensitive accession of ‘Ailsa Craig’, the salt-tolerant wild accession of S. pimpinellifolium ‘LA1579’, as well as the vitamin C-rich S. pennellii introgression line ‘IL12-4’, were exposed to moderate salt stress (200 mM NaCl) for 10 days. At the end of the stress treatment, agronomical traits and stress indices were evaluated, while gas exchange-related parameters, root electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde content and ascorbic acid were also determined. All parameters were significantly affected by salt stress, but to a different extent, verifying the diverse degree of tolerance within the selected genotypes, and further highlighting the different stress-induced mechanisms. The landrace originated from ‘Santorini’ island, as well as the modern variety, which originated from traditional cultivars, demonstrated a better performance and adaptivity under moderate salt stress, accompanied by reduced lipid peroxidation and enhanced ascorbic acid content, indicating that they could be potential promising genetic material for breeding programs or as grafting rootstocks/scions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Pollution & Climate Change: Responses of Plant Organisms to Harsh Environments)

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Review

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16 pages, 661 KiB

Open AccessReview

Pollution of the Environment and Pollen: A Review

by Natalia Vasilevskaya

Stresses 2022, 2(4), 515-530; https://doi.org/10.3390/stresses2040035 - 8 Dec 2022

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 4808

Abstract

Bioindication of the environment is one of the actively developing directions of ecology. Information about pollutants and the level of environmental pollution can be obtained as a result of studying the biological reaction of plants to pollution. Ecological palynology is a new direction, when pollen of various woody and herbaceous species is used for bioindication of the level of environmental pollution and the presence of mutagens. The review considers the morphological variability of pollen, its fertility and viability under the influence of pollutants, the possibility of its use as a bioindicator of pollution of urban areas by emissions of vehicle transport and industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Pollution & Climate Change: Responses of Plant Organisms to Harsh Environments)

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23 pages, 1705 KiB

Open AccessReview

Physiological Responses to Drought, Salinity, and Heat Stress in Plants: A Review

by Tiago Benedito dos Santos, Alessandra Ferreira Ribas, Silvia Graciele Hülse de Souza, Ilara Gabriela Frasson Budzinski and Douglas Silva Domingues

Stresses 2022, 2(1), 113-135; https://doi.org/10.3390/stresses2010009 - 16 Feb 2022

Cited by 347 | Viewed by 42776

Abstract

On the world stage, the increase in temperatures due to global warming is already a reality that has become one of the main challenges faced by the scientific community. Since agriculture is highly dependent on climatic conditions, it may suffer a great impact in the short term if no measures are taken to adapt and mitigate the agricultural system. Plant responses to abiotic stresses have been the subject of research by numerous groups worldwide. Initially, these studies were concentrated on model plants, and, later, they expanded their studies in several economically important crops such as rice, corn, soybeans, coffee, and others. However, agronomic evaluations for the launching of cultivars and the classical genetic improvement process focus, above all, on productivity, historically leaving factors such as tolerance to abiotic stresses in the background. Considering the importance of the impact that abiotic stresses can have on agriculture in the short term, new strategies are currently being sought and adopted in breeding programs to understand the physiological, biochemical, and molecular responses to environmental disturbances in plants of agronomic interest, thus ensuring the world food security. Moreover, integration of these approaches is bringing new insights on breeding. We will discuss how water deficit, high temperatures, and salinity exert effects on plants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Pollution & Climate Change: Responses of Plant Organisms to Harsh Environments)

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11 pages, 6433 KiB

Open AccessReview

Plant–Metal Interactions in the Context of Climate Change

by Denise R. Fernando

Stresses 2022, 2(1), 79-89; https://doi.org/10.3390/stresses2010007 - 5 Feb 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3425

Abstract

Expanding fundamental understanding of the complex and far-reaching impacts of anthropogenic climate change is essential for formulating mitigation strategies. There is abundant evidence of ongoing damage and threat to plant health across both natural and cultivated ecosystems, with potentially immeasurable cost to humanity and the health of the planet. Plant–soil systems are multi-faceted, incorporating key variables that are individually and interactively affected by climatic factors such as rainfall, solar radiation, air temperature, atmospheric CO₂, and pollution. This synthesis focuses on climate effects on plant–metal interactions and related plant–soil dynamics. Ecosystems native to metalliferous soils incorporate vegetation well adapted to metal oversupply, yet climate-change is known to induce the oversupply of certain immobile soil metals by altering the chemistry of non-metalliferous soils. The latter is implicated in observed stress in some non-metal-adapted forest trees growing on ‘normal’ non-metalliferous soils. Vegetation native to riverine habitats reliant on flooding is increasingly at risk under drying conditions caused by anthropogenic water removal and climate change that ultimately limit plant access to essential trace-metal nutrients from nutrient poor sandy soils. In agricultural plant systems, it is well known that environmental conditions alter soil chemistries and plant responses to drive plant metal toxicity stress. These aspects are addressed with reference to specific scenarios and studies linking climate to plant–metal interactions, with emphasis on land plants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Pollution & Climate Change: Responses of Plant Organisms to Harsh Environments)

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14 pages, 1007 KiB

Open AccessReview

Abscisic Acid Machinery Is under Circadian Clock Regulation at Multiple Levels

by Gastón A. Pizzio

Stresses 2022, 2(1), 65-78; https://doi.org/10.3390/stresses2010006 - 29 Jan 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4361

Abstract

Abscisic acid (ABA) is recognized as the key hormonal regulator of plant stress physiology. This phytohormone is also involved in plant growth and development under normal conditions. Over the last 50 years the components of ABA machinery have been well characterized, from synthesis to molecular perception and signaling; knowledge about the fine regulation of these ABA machinery components is starting to increase. In this article, we review a particular regulation of the ABA machinery that comes from the plant circadian system and extends to multiple levels. The circadian clock is a self-sustained molecular oscillator that perceives external changes and prepares plants to respond to them in advance. The circadian system constitutes the most important predictive homeostasis mechanism in living beings. Moreover, the circadian clock has several output pathways that control molecular, cellular and physiological downstream processes, such as hormonal response and transcriptional activity. One of these outputs involves the ABA machinery. The circadian oscillator components regulate expression and post-translational modification of ABA machinery elements, from synthesis to perception and signaling response. The circadian clock establishes a gating in the ABA response during the day, which fine tunes stomatal closure and plant growth response. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Pollution & Climate Change: Responses of Plant Organisms to Harsh Environments)

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23 pages, 13803 KiB

Open AccessReview

Prospect and Challenges for Sustainable Management of Climate Change-Associated Stresses to Soil and Plant Health by Beneficial Rhizobacteria

by Aniruddha Sarker, Most. Waheda Rahman Ansary, Mohammad Nabil Hossain and Tofazzal Islam

Stresses 2021, 1(4), 200-222; https://doi.org/10.3390/stresses1040015 - 11 Oct 2021

Cited by 34 | Viewed by 7257

Abstract

Climate change imposes biotic and abiotic stresses on soil and plant health all across the planet. Beneficial rhizobacterial genera, such as Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Paraburkholderia, Rhizobium, Serratia, and others, are gaining popularity due to their ability to provide simultaneous nutrition and protection of plants in adverse climatic conditions. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria are known to boost soil and plant health through a variety of direct and indirect mechanisms. However, various issues limit the wider commercialization of bacterial biostimulants, such as variable performance in different environmental conditions, poor shelf-life, application challenges, and our poor understanding on complex mechanisms of their interactions with plants and environment. This study focused on detecting the most recent findings on the improvement of plant and soil health under a stressful environment by the application of beneficial rhizobacteria. For a critical and systematic review story, we conducted a non-exhaustive but rigorous literature survey to assemble the most relevant literature (sorting of a total of 236 out of 300 articles produced from the search). In addition, a critical discussion deciphering the major challenges for the commercialization of these bioagents as biofertilizer, biostimulants, and biopesticides was undertaken to unlock the prospective research avenues and wider application of these natural resources. The advancement of biotechnological tools may help to enhance the sustainable use of bacterial biostimulants in agriculture. The perspective of biostimulants is also systematically evaluated for a better understanding of the molecular crosstalk between plants and beneficial bacteria in the changing climate towards sustainable soil and plant health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Pollution & Climate Change: Responses of Plant Organisms to Harsh Environments)

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