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Molecular Mechanisms Associated with Plant Tolerance upon Abiotic Stress
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Molecular Mechanisms Associated with Plant Tolerance upon Abiotic Stress

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: closed (15 July 2024) | Viewed by 8956

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Emilia Apostolova

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Guest Editor
Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., Bl. 21, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
Interests: abiotic stress; chlorophyll fluorescence; photosynthesis; adaptation of plants; lipid–protein interactions; mechanisms of plant tolerance
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Plants in their development are exposed to various abiotic stress factors that have negative effects on plant growth and crop productivity. Stress-induced damage in proteins, lipids and nucleic acids leads to an increased accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which cause oxidative damage. One process in plants that is strongly affected under stress is photosynthesis. The impact of stress factors on plants depends on their intensity, frequency and duration, as well as the plant species. Plants evolve different adaptation mechanisms to survive the harmful effects of the environment. Studies in past years have revealed that plants have different sensitivities to stress factors. Despite many studies working to elucidate the mechanisms of plant tolerance to abiotic stress factors, the exact mechanisms are not fully understood. Therefore, the study of the influence of abiotic stress factors on the growth, physiology, biochemistry and photosynthesis of different plant species is of great importance in order to clarify the mechanisms of tolerance in plants.

This Special Issue aims to show the molecular mechanisms associated with plant tolerance upon various abiotic stresses, such as salinity, drought, temperature, ultraviolet radiation and heavy metals.

Scientists from all over the world are invited to submit original research and review articles on topics related to plant defense mechanisms.

Prof. Dr. Emilia Apostolova
Guest Editor

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 3314 KiB  
Article
Comparative Physiological and Gene Expression Analyses Reveal Mechanisms Involved in Maintaining Photosynthesis Capacity, Alleviating Ion Toxicity and Oxidative Stress of Kentucky Bluegrass under NaCl Treatment
by Rong Wang, Shi-Jie Yan, Chao Liu, Huan Guo and Yan-Nong Cui
Plants 2024, 13(15), 2107; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13152107 - 30 Jul 2024
Viewed by 490
Abstract
Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), a widely used cool-season turfgrass, shows a high sensitivity to soil salinity. Clarifying the adaptative mechanisms of Kentucky bluegrass that serve to improve its salt tolerance in saline environments is urgent for the application of this turfgrass [...] Read more.
Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), a widely used cool-season turfgrass, shows a high sensitivity to soil salinity. Clarifying the adaptative mechanisms of Kentucky bluegrass that serve to improve its salt tolerance in saline environments is urgent for the application of this turfgrass in salt-affected regions. In this study, physiological responses of the Kentucky bluegrass cultivars “Explorer” and “Blue Best” to NaCl treatment, as well as gene expressions related to photosynthesis, ion transport, and ROS degradation, were analyzed. The results showed that the growth of “Explorer” was obviously better compared to “Blue Best” under 400 mM NaCl treatment. “Explorer” exhibited a much stronger photosynthetic capacity than “Blue Best” under NaCl treatment, and the expression of key genes involved in chlorophyll biosynthesis, photosystem II, and the Calvin cycle in “Explorer” was greatly induced by salt treatment. Compared with “Blue Best”, “Explorer” could effectively maintain Na+/K+ homeostasis in its leaves under NaCl treatment, which can be attributed to upregulated expression of genes, such as HKT1;5, HAK5, and SKOR. The relative membrane permeability and contents of O2− and H2O2 in “Explorer” were significantly lower than those in “Blue Best” under NaCl treatment, and, correspondingly, the activities of SOD and POD in the former were significantly higher than in the latter. Moreover, the expression of genes involved in the biosynthesis of enzymes in the ROS-scavenging system of “Explorer” was immediately upregulated after NaCl treatment. Additionally, free proline and betaine are important organic osmolytes for maintaining hydration status in Kentucky bluegrass under NaCl treatment, as the contents of these metabolites in “Explorer” were significantly higher than in “Blue Best”. This work lays a theoretical basis for the improvement of salt tolerance in Kentucky bluegrass. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms Associated with Plant Tolerance upon Abiotic Stress)
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27 pages, 6778 KiB  
Article
Effects of High Salinity and Water Stress on Wetland Grasses from the Spanish Mediterranean Coast
by Adrián Sapiña-Solano, Monica Boscaiu, Francisco Collado, Oscar Vicente and Mario X. Ruiz-González
Plants 2024, 13(14), 1939; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13141939 - 15 Jul 2024
Viewed by 2187
Abstract
The impacts of climate change are reaching unprecedented levels, heightening the risk of species loss and ecosystem service degradation. Wetlands, highly threatened ecosystems, serve vital ecological functions by capturing carbon, filtering water, and harbouring diverse wildlife. Coastal wetlands encounter many challenges, such as [...] Read more.
The impacts of climate change are reaching unprecedented levels, heightening the risk of species loss and ecosystem service degradation. Wetlands, highly threatened ecosystems, serve vital ecological functions by capturing carbon, filtering water, and harbouring diverse wildlife. Coastal wetlands encounter many challenges, such as increased drought periods and escalating salinity levels, severely impacting plant biodiversity. Assessing how plants respond to various environmental stress factors is imperative for devising successful conservation strategies. In the present study, we examined three representative grass species found in various habitats within the Albufera Natural Park, close to the city of Valencia on the Spanish Mediterranean coast: Imperata cylindrica, Phragmites australis, and Saccharum ravennae. High salinity and water stress conditions were induced by subjecting the plants to irrigation with solutions containing 200, 400, 600, and 800 mM NaCl or withholding irrigation altogether to mimic coastal flooding and drought scenarios. The treatments were maintained until noticeable wilting of the plants occurred, at which point a range of stress biomarkers were determined, including photosynthetic pigments, ions, osmolytes, oxidative stress markers, and antioxidant metabolites, as well as antioxidant enzyme activities. Saccharum ravennae displayed the highest sensitivity to salt stress, whereas I. cylindrica appeared to be the most tolerant. The primary salinity tolerance mechanism observed in I. cylindrica and P. australis was a blockage of ion transport from the root zone to the aerial part, together with the salt-induced accumulation of proline and soluble sugars to high concentrations in the former. No significant effects of the water deficit treatment on the growth or biochemical parameters were observed for any of the analysed species. These findings offer valuable information for the effective management and conservation of coastal wetlands facing the challenges posed by climate change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms Associated with Plant Tolerance upon Abiotic Stress)
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15 pages, 1112 KiB  
Article
Response of Tomato Plants, Ailsa Craig and Carotenoid Mutant tangerine, to Simultaneous Treatment by Low Light and Low Temperature
by Antoaneta V. Popova, Martin Stefanov, Gergana Mihailova, Preslava Borisova and Katya Georgieva
Plants 2024, 13(14), 1929; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13141929 - 12 Jul 2024
Viewed by 602
Abstract
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) plants, wild type Ailsa Craig, and carotenoid mutant tangerine that accumulates prolycopene instead of all-trans-lycopene were exposed to a combined treatment by low light and low temperature for 5 days. The ability of plants to [...] Read more.
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) plants, wild type Ailsa Craig, and carotenoid mutant tangerine that accumulates prolycopene instead of all-trans-lycopene were exposed to a combined treatment by low light and low temperature for 5 days. The ability of plants to recover from the stress after development for 3 days at control conditions was followed as well. The suffered oxidative stress was evaluated by the extent of pigment content, lipid peroxidation, membrane stability, and H2O2 generation. The level of MDA content under combined treatment in tangerine implies that the mutant demonstrates lower sensitivity to stress in comparison with Ailsa Craig. The oxidative protective strategy of plants was estimated by following the antioxidant and antiradical activity of phenolic metabolites, including anthocyanins, as well as the activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and catalase (CAT). Presented results revealed that the oxidative stress was much stronger expressed after exposure of both types of plants to low light combined with low temperature compared to that after treatment with only low light. The most significant antioxidant protection was provided by phenolic substances, including anthocyanins. The lower sensitivity of tangerine plants to low light can be attributed to the higher activity of the antioxidant enzyme CAT. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms Associated with Plant Tolerance upon Abiotic Stress)
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19 pages, 3389 KiB  
Article
Exploring Nitric Oxide as a Regulator in Salt Tolerance: Insights into Photosynthetic Efficiency in Maize
by Georgi D. Rashkov, Martin A. Stefanov, Ekaterina K. Yotsova, Preslava B. Borisova, Anelia G. Dobrikova and Emilia L. Apostolova
Plants 2024, 13(10), 1312; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13101312 - 10 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 726
Abstract
The growing issue of salinity is a significant threat to global agriculture, affecting diverse regions worldwide. Nitric oxide (NO) serves as an essential signal molecule in regulating photosynthetic performance under physiological and stress conditions. The present study reveals the protective effects of different [...] Read more.
The growing issue of salinity is a significant threat to global agriculture, affecting diverse regions worldwide. Nitric oxide (NO) serves as an essential signal molecule in regulating photosynthetic performance under physiological and stress conditions. The present study reveals the protective effects of different concentrations (0–300 µM) of sodium nitroprusside (SNP, a donor of NO) on the functions of the main complexes within the photosynthetic apparatus of maize (Zea mays L. Kerala) under salt stress (150 mM NaCl). The data showed that SNP alleviates salt-induced oxidative stress and prevents changes in the fluidity of thylakoid membranes (Laurdan GP) and energy redistribution between the two photosystems (77K chlorophyll fluorescence ratio F735/F685). Chlorophyll fluorescence measurements demonstrated that the foliar spray with SNP under salt stress prevents the decline of photosystem II (PSII) open reaction centers (qP) and improves their efficiency (Φexc), thereby influencing QA− reoxidation. The data also revealed that SNP protects the rate constants for two pathways of QA− reoxidation (k1 and k2) from the changes caused by NaCl treatment alone. Additionally, there is a predominance of QA− interaction with plastoquinone in comparison to the recombination of electrons in QA QB− with the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC). The analysis of flash oxygen evolution showed that SNP treatment prevents a salt-induced 10% increase in PSII centers in the S0 state, i.e., protects the initial S0–S1 state distribution, and the modification of the Mn cluster in the OEC. Moreover, this study demonstrates that SNP-induced defense occurs on both the donor and acceptor sides of the PSII, leading to the protection of overall photosystems performance (PIABS) and efficient electron transfer from the PSII donor side to the reduction of PSI end electron acceptors (PItotal). This study clearly shows that the optimal protection under salt stress occurs at approximately 50–63 nmoles NO/g FW in leaves, corresponding to foliar spray with 50–150 µM SNP. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms Associated with Plant Tolerance upon Abiotic Stress)
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13 pages, 1599 KiB  
Article
Genome-Wide Identification and Analysis of ZF-HD Gene Family in Moso Bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis)
by Feiyi Huang, Jiaxin Wang and Chao Tang
Plants 2023, 12(23), 4064; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12234064 - 3 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1401
Abstract
Zinc finger-homeodomain (ZF-HD) proteins play essential roles in plant growth, development and stress responses. However, knowledge of the expression and evolutionary history of ZF-HD genes in moso bamboo remains limited. In this study, a total of 24 ZF-HD genes were found unevenly distributed [...] Read more.
Zinc finger-homeodomain (ZF-HD) proteins play essential roles in plant growth, development and stress responses. However, knowledge of the expression and evolutionary history of ZF-HD genes in moso bamboo remains limited. In this study, a total of 24 ZF-HD genes were found unevenly distributed on 12 chromosomes in moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis). Phylogenetic analysis indicated that PeZF-HDs were divided into two subfamilies: ZHD and MIF. The ZHD subfamily genes were further classified into seven groups according to their orthologous relationships among the rice and Arabidopsis ZF-HD gene family. The gene structures and conserved motifs of PeZF-HDs were analyzed. Whole-genome duplication (WGD) or segmental duplication promoted the evolution and expansion of the moso bamboo ZF-HD gene family. Ka/Ks ratios suggested that the twenty-four duplication pairs had undergone purifying selection. Promoter analysis showed that most PeZF-HDs contained cis-elements associated with stress responses and hormones. Expression analysis demonstrated that many PeZF-HDs were responsive to abiotic stress treatment. Overall, this work investigated PeZF-HD genes in moso bamboo using bioinformatic approaches. The evolutionary research on gene structure, motif distribution and cis-regulatory elements indicated that PeZF-HDs play distinct roles in biological processes, which provides a theoretical basis for exploring the physiological functions of ZF-HDs and selecting candidate stress-related genes in moso bamboo. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms Associated with Plant Tolerance upon Abiotic Stress)
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17 pages, 8438 KiB  
Article
Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of the NAC Gene Family and Its Involvement in Cold Response in Dendrobium officinale
by Qianyu Yang, Zhihui Li, Xiao Wang, Chunqian Jiang, Feihong Liu, Yuxin Nian, Xiaoyun Fu, Guangzhu Zhou, Lei Liu and Hui Wang
Plants 2023, 12(20), 3626; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12203626 - 20 Oct 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1567
Abstract
The NAC (NAM, ATAF1/2 and CUC2) gene family is one of the largest plant-specific transcription factor families, functioning as crucial regulators in diverse biological processes such as plant growth and development as well as biotic and abiotic stress responses. Although it has been [...] Read more.
The NAC (NAM, ATAF1/2 and CUC2) gene family is one of the largest plant-specific transcription factor families, functioning as crucial regulators in diverse biological processes such as plant growth and development as well as biotic and abiotic stress responses. Although it has been widely characterized in many plants, the significance of the NAC family in Dendrobium officinale remained elusive up to now. In this study, a genome-wide search method was conducted to identify NAC genes in Dendrobium officinale (DoNACs) and a total of 110 putative DoNACs were obtained. Phylogenetic analysis classified them into 15 subfamilies according to the nomenclature in Arabidopsis and rice. The members in the subfamilies shared more similar gene structures and conversed protein domain compositions. Furthermore, the expression profiles of these DoNACs were investigated in diverse tissues and under cold stress by RNA-seq data. Then, a total of five up-regulated and five down-regulated, cold-responsive DoNACs were validated through QRT-PCR analysis, demonstrating they were involved in regulating cold stress response. Additionally, the subcellular localization of two down-regulated candidates (DoNAC39 and DoNAC58) was demonstrated to be localized in the nuclei. This study reported the genomic organization, protein domain compositions and expression patterns of the NAC family in Dendrobium officinale, which provided targets for further functional studies of DoNACs and also contributed to the dissection of the role of NAC in regulating cold tolerance in Dendrobium officinale. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms Associated with Plant Tolerance upon Abiotic Stress)
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14 pages, 2182 KiB  
Article
Biochemical Alterations in Triticale Seedlings Pretreated with Selective Herbicide and Subjected to Drought or Waterlogging Stress
by Zornitsa Katerova, Dessislava Todorova, Elena Shopova, Liliana Brankova, Ljudmila Dimitrova, Margarita Petrakova and Iskren Sergiev
Plants 2023, 12(15), 2803; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12152803 - 28 Jul 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1019
Abstract
Waterlogging and drought disrupt crop development and productivity. Triticale is known to be relatively tolerant to different stress factors. In natural conditions, plants are rather subjected to multiple environmental factors. Serrate® (Syngenta) is a systemic selective herbicide suitable for cereal crops such [...] Read more.
Waterlogging and drought disrupt crop development and productivity. Triticale is known to be relatively tolerant to different stress factors. In natural conditions, plants are rather subjected to multiple environmental factors. Serrate® (Syngenta) is a systemic selective herbicide suitable for cereal crops such as triticale and wheat to restrain annual grass and broadleaf weeds. Triticale (×Triticosecale Wittm., cv. Rozhen) was grown as soil culture under controlled conditions. Seventeen-day-old plantlets were leaf sprayed with Serrate®. The water stress (drought or waterlogging) was applied after 72 h for 7 days, and then the seedlings were left for recovery. The herbicide does not provoke sharp alterations in the antioxidant state (stress markers level, and antioxidant and xenobiotic-detoxifying enzymes activity). The water stresses and combined treatments enhanced significantly the content of stress markers (malondialdehyde, proline, hydrogen peroxide), non-enzymatic (total phenolics and thiol groups-containing compounds), and enzymatic (activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, guaiacol peroxidase, glutathione reductase) antioxidants, and xenobiotic-detoxifying enzymes (activities of glutathione S-transferase, NADPH:cytochrome P450 reductase, NADH:cytochrome b5 reductase). These effects were more severely expressed after the drought stress, suggesting that this cultivar is more tolerant to waterlogging than to drought stress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms Associated with Plant Tolerance upon Abiotic Stress)
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