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The Plant–Climate Nexus: Bioremediation and Management Strategies for a Sustainable...
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The Plant–Climate Nexus: Bioremediation and Management Strategies for a Sustainable Future

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 (31 March 2026) | Viewed by 6715

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Krishan K. Verma

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Guest Editor
Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biotechnology and Genetic Improvement (Guangxi), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Genetic Improvement, Sugarcane Research Institute, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning 530007, China
Interests: bioremediation; environmental pollution; soil pollution; soil bioengineering; toxic ions; sustainable agriculture
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Renato De Mello Prado

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agricultural Science, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, São Paulo 14884-900, Brazil
Interests: nutritional disorders; nutrient mobility; foliar nutrition; nutrient efficiency; silicon; foliar diagnostics; research on nutrition
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Hassan Etesami

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Soil Science, University College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj 1417935840, Iran
Interests: microbial ecology; integrated management of biotic and abiotic stresses; environmental microbiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The plant–climate nexus offers powerful, nature-based pathways towards a sustainable future. Climate change affects crop productivity and reduces essential mineral nutrients in plant-based foods due to increased levels of CO2 in the atmospheric environment. The loss of genetic diversity reduces the availability of genetic variation that allows us to breed crops to withstand climate change, and it also reduces a variety of crop plants to provide a healthy diet. Bioremediation that harnesses the natural metabolic processes of plants (phytoremediation) and their associated microbes presents a cost-effective, ecologically sound strategy to detoxify pollutants, restoring ecosystem health.

This Special Issue explores the critical, bidirectional relationship between plants and climate change. Plants are profoundly impacted by climate change, but also play a major role in mitigating it and adapting to its effects, primarily through bioremediation and strategic ecosystem management. However, realizing the full potential of this nexus requires deliberate management strategies.

Dr. Krishan K. Verma
Dr. Renato De Mello Prado
Dr. Hassan Etesami
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

  • plant–climate nexus
  • bioremediation
  • management strategies
  • phytoremediation
  • bioaugmentation
  • regenerative agriculture
  • carbon sequestration
  • climate resilience
  • climate-smart agriculture
  • nanotechnology in bioremediation
  • genetic engineering of microbes
  • circular economy in agriculture
  • sustainable futures
  • heavy metal contamination

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 2415 KB  
Article
The Use of Rhizospheric Microorganisms of Crotalaria for the Determination of Toxicity and Phytoremediation to Certain Petroleum Compounds
by Ana Guadalupe Ramírez-May, María del Carmen Rivera-Cruz, María Remedios Mendoza-López, Rocío Guadalupe Acosta-Pech, Antonio Trujillo-Narcía and Consuelo Bautista-Muñoz
Plants 2026, 15(1), 103; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15010103 - 29 Dec 2025
Viewed by 549
Abstract
Microbial toxicity tests in the rhizosphere play an important role in the risk assessment and phytoremediation of chemical compounds in the environment. Tests for the inhibition of nodule number (NN), Rhizobia in the rhizosphere (RhR), Rhizobium in nodules (RhN) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi [...] Read more.
Microbial toxicity tests in the rhizosphere play an important role in the risk assessment and phytoremediation of chemical compounds in the environment. Tests for the inhibition of nodule number (NN), Rhizobia in the rhizosphere (RhR), Rhizobium in nodules (RhN) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMFs) are important to evaluate the toxicity as well as the removal of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs), 15 linear alkanes (LAs), and total linear alkanes (TLAs). The inhibition and removal was evaluated at 60 (vegetative stage, VS) and 154 days (reproductive stage, RS) of the life cycle of Crotalaria incana and Crotalaria pallida in soil with four doses of CRO (3, 15, 30, and 45 g/kg) plus a control (16 treatments). Results indicated that RhN and five structures of the AMFs present an index of toxicity (IT < 1), and the microbiological variable is inhibited by the CRO. RhR exhibits a hormesis index (IT > 1) that is stimulated by the CRO in the VS and RS for C. incana and C. pallida. The highest removal of TPHs (77%) was in the rhizosphere of C. incana in the RS with 45 g/kg of CRO. C. pallida removed the greatest amount of TLA (91%). There was a positive correlation between the RhR and the removal of TPHs, TLA, and LAs (higher molecular weight). It could be argued that symbiotic microorganisms are significant for use in toxicity testing, and the rhizosphere of C. incana and C. pallida can be used for the phytoremediation of HTPs and ALs in loamy-clay soil contaminated with CRO. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Plant–Climate Nexus: Bioremediation and Management Strategies for a Sustainable Future)
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20 pages, 3726 KB  
Article
Citrus Genotype Modulates Rhizosphere Microbiome Structure and Function Under Drought Stress
by Yanqi Teng, Can Yin, Fuyin Xu, Jiyu Chen, Qiong Wu, Mingyan Ye, Yiding Liu and Kai Zhu
Plants 2026, 15(1), 77; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15010077 - 26 Dec 2025
Viewed by 523
Abstract
Drought stress substantially impairs citrus growth and alters the rhizosphere microbial composition; however, the role of these microbial communities in plant drought tolerance remains poorly understood. This study investigated the rhizosphere microbial structure, soil enzymatic activities, and physicochemical properties of drought-tolerant (DR) and [...] Read more.
Drought stress substantially impairs citrus growth and alters the rhizosphere microbial composition; however, the role of these microbial communities in plant drought tolerance remains poorly understood. This study investigated the rhizosphere microbial structure, soil enzymatic activities, and physicochemical properties of drought-tolerant (DR) and drought-sensitive (DS) citrus varieties under drought stress conditions. High-throughput sequencing revealed that drought significantly altered microbial community composition, reducing the bacterial Shannon diversity by about 15% and enriching Gram-negative, stress-tolerant, and potentially pathogenic bacteria, as well as plant pathogenic fungi (upregulated 25.4% in DS), while reducing undefined saprotrophs (downregulated from 76.2 to 54.0% in DS). Notably, the DR variety exhibited a more stable and complex bacterial network, with 23.5% more edges and a higher proportion of positive correlations (54.3%), higher enrichment of beneficial fungi like Penicillium and Trichoderma, and unique recruitment of mycorrhizal fungi (up to 10.2%), which were nearly absent in DS. Furthermore, soil catalase and urease activities decreased under drought stress conditions. In contrast, acid phosphatase activity increased by up to 40% in DR. Correlation analyses indicated that these microbial shifts were closely associated with changes in soil nutrient availability. Our findings demonstrated that the drought-tolerant citrus variety modulates its rhizosphere microbiome towards a more cooperative and resilient state, highlighting the critical role of host-specific microbial recruitment in enhancing plant adaptation to drought stress for sustainable agriculture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Plant–Climate Nexus: Bioremediation and Management Strategies for a Sustainable Future)
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19 pages, 13882 KB  
Article
Drought-Driven Rhizosphere Microbiome and Metabolome Remodeling in Wild vs. Cultivated Saccharum arundinaceum
by Sijie Huang, Haibi Li, Jinju Wei, Hui Zhou, Yanhang Tang, Yiyun Gui and Kai Zhu
Plants 2025, 14(22), 3407; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14223407 - 7 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 983
Abstract
Sugarcane is highly sensitive to the variations in soil moisture content capacity, and upregulated water stress efficiency restricts its development and crop output. Rhizospheric microbes and metabolites play key roles to mitigate the adverse effects of abiotic stresses, i.e., drought stress. The drought-tolerant [...] Read more.
Sugarcane is highly sensitive to the variations in soil moisture content capacity, and upregulated water stress efficiency restricts its development and crop output. Rhizospheric microbes and metabolites play key roles to mitigate the adverse effects of abiotic stresses, i.e., drought stress. The drought-tolerant wild sugarcane relative, Saccharum arundinaceum Retz., remains poorly characterized with respect to its rhizosphere microbial community dynamics under water limitation. To address this, we analyzed drought-associated shifts in the rhizosphere microbiome and metabolome by comparing native plants from a long-term arid habitat in Guangxi, China, with plants from an irrigated cultivation environment. We analyzed the effects of agronomic traits, soil properties, enzyme activities, and 16S rRNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics to characterize microbial communities and metabolites, with correlation analyses. Results demonstrated that wild plants possessed thicker stems, higher proline levels, and increased antioxidant enzyme activity. Their rhizospheres were enriched with Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Chloroflexi, which exhibited upregulated urease and acid phosphatase activities. Metabolites linked to phosphotransferase systems and sugar metabolisms were also more abundant. Positive correlations between these microbes, metabolites, and drought traits reveal site-specific microbial–metabolic modules that confer drought resilience, providing valuable insights for sugarcane breeding programs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Plant–Climate Nexus: Bioremediation and Management Strategies for a Sustainable Future)
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Review

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26 pages, 1398 KB  
Review
Gibberellic Acid Improves Photosynthetic Electron Transport and Stomatal Function in Crops That Are Adversely Affected by Salinity Exposure
by Jyoti Mani Tripathi, Bibi Rafeiza Khan, Rajarshi Gaur, Dinesh Yadav, Krishan K. Verma and Ramwant Gupta
Plants 2025, 14(21), 3388; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14213388 - 5 Nov 2025
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2483
Abstract
Soil salinity poses a critical threat to global agricultural productivity, exacerbating food security challenges in arid and semi-arid regions. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the physiological and biochemical impacts of salinity stress in plants, with a focus on the role of gibberellic [...] Read more.
Soil salinity poses a critical threat to global agricultural productivity, exacerbating food security challenges in arid and semi-arid regions. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the physiological and biochemical impacts of salinity stress in plants, with a focus on the role of gibberellic acid (GA3) in mitigating these effects. Salinity disrupts ion homeostasis, induces osmotic stress, and generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to reduced chlorophyll content, impaired photosynthesis, and stunted growth across all developmental stages, i.e., from seed germination to flowering. Excess sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl−) accumulation disrupts nutrient uptake, destabilizes membranes, and inhibits enzymes critical for carbon fixation, such as Rubisco. GA3 emerges as a key regulator of salinity resilience, enhancing stress tolerance through various mechanisms like scavenging ROS, stabilizing photosynthetic machinery, modulating stomatal conductance, and promoting osmotic adjustment via osmolyte accumulation (e.g., proline). Plant hormone’s interaction with DELLA proteins and cross-talk with abscisic acid, ethylene, and calcium signaling pathways further fine-tune stress responses. However, gaps persist in understanding GA3-mediated floral induction under salinity and its precise role in restoring photosynthetic efficiency. While exogenous GA3 application improves growth parameters, its efficacy depends on the concentration- and species-dependent, with lower doses often proving beneficial and optimum doses potentially inhibitory. Field validation of lab-based findings is critical, given variations in soil chemistry and irrigation practices. Future research must integrate biotechnological tools (CRISPR, transcriptomics) to unravel GA3 signaling networks, optimize delivery methods, and develop climate-resilient crops. This review underscores the urgency of interdisciplinary approaches to harness GA3’s potential in sustainable salinity management, ensuring food security and safety in the rapidly salinizing world. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Plant–Climate Nexus: Bioremediation and Management Strategies for a Sustainable Future)
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24 pages, 4350 KB  
Review
Phyto-Algal Consortia as a Complementary System for Wastewater Treatment and Biorefinery
by Huma Balouch, Assemgul K. Sadvakasova, Bekzhan D. Kossalbayev, Meruyert O. Bauenova, Dilnaz E. Zaletova, Sanat Kumarbekuly and Dariga K. Kirbayeva
Plants 2025, 14(19), 3069; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14193069 - 4 Oct 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1570
Abstract
Pollution and freshwater scarcity, coupled with the energy sector’s continued dependence on fossil fuels, constitute a dual challenge to sustainable development. A promising response is biosystems that jointly address wastewater treatment and the production of renewable products. This review centers on a managed [...] Read more.
Pollution and freshwater scarcity, coupled with the energy sector’s continued dependence on fossil fuels, constitute a dual challenge to sustainable development. A promising response is biosystems that jointly address wastewater treatment and the production of renewable products. This review centers on a managed consortium of aquatic macrophytes and microalgae, in which the spatial architecture of plant communities, rhizosphere processes, and the photosynthetic activity of microalgae act in concert. This configuration simultaneously expands the spectrum of removable pollutants and yields biomass suitable for biorefinery, thereby linking remediation to the production of energy carriers and bioproducts within a circular bioeconomy. The scientific novelty lies in treating the integrated platform as a coherent technological unit, and in using the biomass “metabolic passport” to align cultivation conditions with optimal valorization trajectories. The work offers a practical framework for designing and scaling such consortia that can reduce the toxicological load on aquatic ecosystems, return macronutrients to circulation, and produce low-carbon energy carriers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Plant–Climate Nexus: Bioremediation and Management Strategies for a Sustainable Future)
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