Phenotypic Plasticity, Genetic and Epigenetic Response of Plants to Abiotic Stresses

Dear Colleagues,

Many studies have demonstrated that plant phenotypes of tolerance to abiotic stresses are due at the molecular level to the enhanced transcription of different gene categories involved in regulating cellular homeostasis and plant defence. Beside the genetic mechanisms underlying this phenotypic plasticity, plant responses to abiotic stresses can also be regulated by reversible epigenetic modifications, allowing plants to rapidly adapt to environmental challenges. Unlike DNA sequence mutations, changes in the epigenome can be induced by environmental stresses with considerably less time and effort: this trait makes them an attractive tool for developing high-quality crops that can withstand adverse climatic conditions. In addition, recent evidence suggests that plant adaptation to abiotic stresses is closely associated with the corresponding soil microbiome. In particular, the ability of soil microorganisms to grow in stressful conditions and their effect on plant growth make them a interesting sustainable solution to improve crop productivity in harsh conditions. Despite the widespread application of beneficial soil microorganisms to plants for different purposes, few works have investigated the molecular mechanisms of crosstalk between soil microbes and plants in response to abiotic stresses (e.g., signal transduction and epigenetic regulation) and their involvement in ameliorating plant tolerance.

In this Special Issue, we encourage research in the following areas:

• New molecular mechanisms underlying plant phenotypic plasticity to abiotic stresses (heavy metals, salt, drought, heat).
• Epigenetic modifications allowing enhanced tolerance to environmental stresses.
• Activation of plant signal transduction pathways and epigenetic modifications by beneficial microorganisms, resulting in increased tolerance to abiotic stresses.

Dr. Elisa Fasani
Prof. Dr. Giovanna Visioli
Guest Editors

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• phenotypic plasticity
• tolerance to abiotic stress
• epigenetics
• plant‒microbe molecular interaction