Plants

Drought stress severely compromises the physiological integrity and secondary metabolism of medicinal plants. This study integrated physiological, biochemical, and ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) analyses to investigate the effects of exogenous methyl jasmonate (MeJA) on drought-stressed Ilex rotunda seedlings. Drought reduced relative water content by 29% and chlorophyll by >50%, while elevating H₂O₂ (76%) and malondialdehyde (120%). MeJA application mitigated these impairments, reducing oxidative markers by 25% and enhancing non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity, as shown by a 74% increase in DPPH radical scavenging activity and a 141% rise in total phenolic content. Hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA), principal component analysis (PCA), and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), and pathway mapping confirmed a significant reprogramming of the phenolic metabolome, particularly within phenylpropanoid and benzoate biosynthesis pathways. Drought + MeJA-treated plants exhibited a distinct and enriched profile compared to both well-watered control and drought-stressed groups. This reprogramming specifically elevated key hydroxycinnamates, including verbascoside and neochlorogenic acid (increased by 50% and 52%, respectively), while suppressing alternative phenolic branches. These findings demonstrate that MeJA orchestrates a shift from enzymatic scavenging to a potent metabolite-based antioxidant system, positioning it as an effective elicitor for enhancing drought resilience and enriching the high-value phytochemicals in I. rotunda.

Climate change has intensified the occurrence of biotic and abiotic stresses, representing a major threat to agricultural productivity. This climate variability, coupled with the excessive use of agrochemicals, not only compromises environmental sustainability but also exacerbates food insecurity, directly affecting food availability and quality. In this context, biotechnological strategies have proven essential for mitigating the effects of stress on plants, promoting practices focused on agricultural sustainability. Notable among these strategies is the use of plant growth-promoting microorganisms, which are emerging as promising alternatives capable of improving plant tolerance to stress conditions and simultaneously reducing dependence on agrochemicals. These microorganisms can act as nitrogen fixers and solubilizers of nutrients, such as phosphorus and potassium. Additionally, they can influence plant immune responses by inducing systemic resistance and promoting the synthesis of phytohormones, such as auxins, cytokinins, and abscisic acid, which support plant development during the stress response. The interaction between plants and microorganisms represents a sustainable agricultural management strategy capable of enhancing crop tolerance to environmental adversities. In this review, we discuss the microorganisms known to establish beneficial interactions with plants, leading to improved performance under biotic and abiotic stress. Overall, this work highlights the potential of plant–microbe partnerships as a cornerstone for advancing sustainable agriculture in the face of global challenges.

Eugenia (Myrtaceae) is a highly diverse genus of fruit trees native to the Amazon with remarkable potential for food, nutritional, and biotechnological applications. This review synthesizes the current knowledge on morphofunctional traits, ecological strategies, and genetic resources that make several Eugenia species promising candidates for domestication and cultivation. Its main attributes include shrubby growth habits, racemose inflorescences, nutrient-rich fruits with few seeds, recalcitrant yet viable propagules, and wide distribution across the Americas. Their molecular and phytochemical diversity suggests applications in food systems, pharmaceuticals, and bioindustries. However, key challenges persist, such as irregular fruiting, postharvest perishability, limited germplasm conservation in degraded areas, prospecting biotechnological applications such as antioxidants, and insufficient genomic characterization. By addressing these gaps, Eugenia domestication could contribute to food security, sustainable agriculture, and the bioeconomy of remote Amazonian regions, thereby positioning this genus as a strategic resource in the face of biodiversity loss.