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Abiotic and Biotic Stress of the Crops and Horticultural Plants
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Abiotic and Biotic Stress of the Crops and Horticultural Plants

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: 20 January 2025 | Viewed by 6328

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Pingfang Yang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Life Science, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
Interests: seed germination; proteomics; metabolomics and transcriptomics; Genomics; crop seeds development; seed dormancy; GA
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Crop plants and horticultural crops are constantly exposed to a range of abiotic and biotic stresses, such as drought, salinity, extreme temperatures, diseases, pests, and invasive species. These stresses can significantly impact crop yield and quality, resulting in substantial economic losses and food security challenges. Therefore, it is imperative we explore effective strategies to mitigate the adverse impacts of these stresses on crops and horticultural plant production.

For this Special Issue, we invite original research articles, reviews, and case studies focusing on innovative approaches, new insights, and practical solutions related to abiotic and biotic stress management as well as those investigating underlying responsive mechanisms in crops and horticultural plants. Submissions may cover a wide range of topics, including, but not limited to, stress tolerance mechanisms, genetic and molecular approaches, breeding strategies, physiological and biochemical responses, integrated pest and disease management, precision farming technologies, and sustainable practices.

We encourage contributors from diverse disciplines, including agronomy, plant breeding, pathology, entomology, genetics, molecular biology, and environmental science, to join us in addressing the challenges and opportunities associated with abiotic and biotic stress in crops and horticultural plants.

We look forward to your valuable contributions to this important and timely Special Issue .

Prof. Dr. Pingfang Yang
Guest Editor

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. 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

  • abiotic stress
  • biotic stress
  • crops
  • horticultural plants
  • genetic analysis
  • genomics
  • plant defense mechanisms
  • stress response

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 6240 KiB  
Article
Physiological and Proteomic Analysis of Various Priming on Rice Seed under Chilling Stress
by Hua Zhang, Guo Hui, Guoqing Gao, Izhar Ali, Maoyan Tang, Lei Chen, Xiaoyuan Zhong, Ligeng Jiang, Tianfeng Liang and Xiaoli Zhang
Plants 2024, 13(17), 2430; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13172430 - 30 Aug 2024
Viewed by 378
Abstract
Rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivation using direct seeding is susceptible to chilling stress, particularly during seed germination and early seedling growth in the early season of a double cropping system. Alternatively, seed priming with various plant growth-promoting hormones is an effective technique [...] Read more.
Rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivation using direct seeding is susceptible to chilling stress, particularly during seed germination and early seedling growth in the early season of a double cropping system. Alternatively, seed priming with various plant growth-promoting hormones is an effective technique to promote rapid and uniform emergence under chilling stress. Therefore, we evaluated the impact of gibberellin A3 (GA3) and brassinolide (BR) priming on rice seed emergence, examining their proteomic responses under low-temperature conditions. Results indicated that GA3 and BR increased the seed germination rate by 22.67% and 7.33% at 72 h and 35% and 15% at 96 h compared to the control (CK), respectively. Furthermore, proteomic analysis identified 2551, 2614, and 2592 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in GA, BR, and CK, respectively. Among them, GA exhibited 84 upregulated and 260 downregulated DEPs, while BR showed 112 upregulated and 102 downregulated DEPs, and CK had 123 upregulated and 81 downregulated DEPs. Notably, under chilling stress, both GA3 and BR are involved in peroxide metabolism, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and inositol phosphate metabolism, enhancing antioxidant capacity and providing energy substances for germination. In addition, GA3 triggers the specific regulation of stress responsive protein activation, GTP activation, and ascorbic acid biosynthesis and promotes the stability and integrity of cell membranes, as well as the synthesis of cell walls, providing physical defense for seeds to resist low temperatures. At the same time, BR triggers specific involvement in ribosome synthesis and amino acid synthesis, promoting biosynthetic ability and metabolic regulation to maintain plant life activities under low-temperature stress. Furthermore, the various genes’ expression (OsJ_16716, OsPAL1, RINO1) confirmed GA3 and BR involved in peroxide metabolism, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and inositol phosphate metabolism, enhancing antioxidant capacity and providing energy substances for germination. This study provides valuable insights into how rice seed embryo responds to and tolerates chilling stress with GA3 seed priming. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic and Biotic Stress of the Crops and Horticultural Plants)
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22 pages, 9877 KiB  
Article
Integrated Transcriptomic and Proteomic Analysis Reveals Molecular Mechanisms of the Cold Stress Response during the Overwintering Period in Blueberries (Vaccinium spp.)
by Xin Wei, Hongguang Wang, Dan Guo, Baisong Wang, Xiao Zhang, Jian Wang, Youchun Liu, Xingdong Wang, Cheng Liu and Wenxuan Dong
Plants 2024, 13(14), 1911; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13141911 - 11 Jul 2024
Viewed by 556
Abstract
In China, the Liaodong Peninsula is an important growing area for blueberries because of the high organic matter content in the soil, the abundance of light, and the large temperature difference between day and night. However, the low temperature and relative humidity of [...] Read more.
In China, the Liaodong Peninsula is an important growing area for blueberries because of the high organic matter content in the soil, the abundance of light, and the large temperature difference between day and night. However, the low temperature and relative humidity of the air during the winter and early spring in the Liaodong Peninsula are the main reasons for the damage to blueberry plants. Here, we documented the transcriptome and proteome dynamics in response to cold stress in three blueberry cultivars (‘Northland’, ‘Bluecrop’, and ‘Berkeley’). Functional enrichment analysis indicated that many differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) were mainly involved in the pathways of protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum, the glutathione metabolism pathway, and ribosomes. We identified 12,747 transcription factors (TFs) distributed in 20 families. Based on our findings, we speculated that cold tolerance development was caused by the expression of calcium-related genes (CDPKs and CMLs), glutathione proteins, and TFs (NAC, WRKY, and ERF). Our investigation found that three cultivars experienced cold damage when exposed to temperatures between −9 °C and −15 °C in the field. Therefore, the cold resistance of blueberries during overwintering should not only resist the influence of low temperatures but also complex environmental factors such as strong winds and low relative humidity in the air. The order of cold resistance strength in the three blueberry cultivars was ‘Berkeley’, ‘Bluecrop’, and ‘Northland’. These results provide a comprehensive profile of the response to cold stress, which has the potential to be used as a selection marker for programs to improve cold tolerance in blueberries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic and Biotic Stress of the Crops and Horticultural Plants)
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10 pages, 8126 KiB  
Article
A Highly Efficient Agrobacterium rhizogenes-Mediated Hairy Root Transformation Method of Idesia polycarpa and the Generation of Transgenic Plants
by Hui Wang, Kaimao Cheng, Tongjie Li, Xiaoyu Lan, Li Shen, Huayan Zhao and Shiyou Lü
Plants 2024, 13(13), 1791; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13131791 - 28 Jun 2024
Viewed by 721
Abstract
Idesia polycarpa is a promising woody oilseed species because of its high oil yield. However, its use is greatly limited due to the lack of varieties with good qualities; additionally, gene function has been less studied in this plant because an efficient transformation [...] Read more.
Idesia polycarpa is a promising woody oilseed species because of its high oil yield. However, its use is greatly limited due to the lack of varieties with good qualities; additionally, gene function has been less studied in this plant because an efficient transformation method has not been established yet. In this study, we established a rapid and efficient hairy root transformation method by infecting the whole seedling, the rootless seedling, and the leaf petiole with Agrobacterium rhizogenes using different infection methods. Among these transformation methods, a higher transformation efficiency was obtained using the whole seedling, which could reach up to 71.91%. Furthermore, we found that the seedling age significantly affected the transformation efficiency, either using whole or rootless seedlings. Additionally, we found that the transgenic roots could regenerate transgenic shoots. Taken together, our study lays the foundation for future study and for genetically modifying wood traits in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic and Biotic Stress of the Crops and Horticultural Plants)
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19 pages, 2601 KiB  
Article
Sweet Cherry Plants Prioritize Their Response to Cope with Summer Drought, Overshadowing the Defense Response to Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae
by Luis Villalobos-González, Claudia Carreras, María Francisca Beltrán, Franco Figueroa, Carlos Rubilar-Hernández, Ismael Opazo, Guillermo Toro, Ariel Salvatierra, Boris Sagredo, Lorena Pizarro, Nicola Fiore, Manuel Pinto, Vicent Arbona, Aurelio Gómez-Cadenas and Paula Pimentel
Plants 2024, 13(13), 1737; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13131737 - 24 Jun 2024
Viewed by 750
Abstract
Disease severity and drought due to climate change present significant challenges to orchard productivity. This study examines the effects of spring inoculation with Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae (Pss) on sweet cherry plants, cvs. Bing and Santina with varying defense responses, assessing [...] Read more.
Disease severity and drought due to climate change present significant challenges to orchard productivity. This study examines the effects of spring inoculation with Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae (Pss) on sweet cherry plants, cvs. Bing and Santina with varying defense responses, assessing plant growth, physiological variables (water potential, gas exchange, and plant hydraulic conductance), and the levels of abscisic acid (ABA) and salicylic acid (SA) under two summer irrigation levels. Pss inoculation elicited a more pronounced response in ‘Santina’ compared to ‘Bing’ at 14 days post-inoculation (dpi), and those plants inoculated with Pss exhibited a slower leaf growth and reduced transpiration compared to control plants during 60 dpi. During differential irrigations, leaf area was reduced 14% and 44% in Pss inoculated plants of ‘Bing’ and ‘Santina’ respectively, under well-watered (WW) conditions, without changes in plant water status or gas exchange. Conversely, water-deficit (WD) conditions led to gas exchange limitations and a 43% decrease in plant biomass compared to that under WW conditions, with no differences between inoculation treatments. ABA levels were lower under WW than under WD at 90 dpi, while SA levels were significantly higher in Pss-inoculated plants under WW conditions. These findings underscore the influence on plant growth during summer in sweet cherry cultivars that showed a differential response to Pss inoculations and how the relationship between ABA and SA changes in plant drought level responses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic and Biotic Stress of the Crops and Horticultural Plants)
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15 pages, 1898 KiB  
Article
Evolution of Leaf Chlorophylls, Carotenoids and Phenolic Compounds during Vegetation of Some Croatian Indigenous Red and White Grape Cultivars
by Marina Anić, Jasminka Karoglan Kontić, Nera Rendulić, Mate Čarija, Mirela Osrečak, Marko Karoglan and Željko Andabaka
Plants 2024, 13(7), 971; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13070971 - 27 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1039
Abstract
During the ripening process of grapes, the grapevine leaves are the most active green organs that are important for photosynthesis, which is closely linked to the development and metabolism of the plant. The detection of plant pigments and phenolic compounds in grapevine leaves [...] Read more.
During the ripening process of grapes, the grapevine leaves are the most active green organs that are important for photosynthesis, which is closely linked to the development and metabolism of the plant. The detection of plant pigments and phenolic compounds in grapevine leaves can be a good indicator of the ageing process, vine vigor and the plant’s ability to respond to fungal attack. In a one-year study, the development of leaf chlorophylls, carotenoids and phenolic compounds during the ripening of six indigenous Croatian grape cultivars and the international cultivars Merlot and Chardonnay was investigated. The chlorophyll a/b ratio and total chlorophyll and total carotenoid concentrations were also investigated. PCA was used to highlight relevant information from the data with the aim of distinguishing individual compounds based on the cultivar and phenological stage. The leaf total hydroxycinnamic acid and flavan-3-ol concentrations decreased slowly during grape development, with the highest concentration immediately after flowering and the lowest during grape ripening. The concentrations of β-carotene, lutein and xanthophylls tended to decrease during bunch closure or veraison, while the concentration of chlorophylls a and b peaked during veraison and then decreased during grape ripening. This research will provide an opportunity to select cultivars with the physiological adaptation to synthesize secondary metabolites that are important for managing stress conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic and Biotic Stress of the Crops and Horticultural Plants)
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Review

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18 pages, 1638 KiB  
Review
DNA Methylation Dynamics in Response to Drought Stress in Crops
by Xiaolan Rao, Shengli Yang, Shiyou Lü and Pingfang Yang
Plants 2024, 13(14), 1977; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13141977 - 19 Jul 2024
Viewed by 706
Abstract
Drought is one of the most hazardous environmental factors due to its severe damage on plant growth, development and productivity. Plants have evolved complex regulatory networks and resistance strategies for adaptation to drought stress. As a conserved epigenetic regulation, DNA methylation dynamically alters [...] Read more.
Drought is one of the most hazardous environmental factors due to its severe damage on plant growth, development and productivity. Plants have evolved complex regulatory networks and resistance strategies for adaptation to drought stress. As a conserved epigenetic regulation, DNA methylation dynamically alters gene expression and chromosome interactions in plants’ response to abiotic stresses. The development of omics technologies on genomics, epigenomics and transcriptomics has led to a rapid increase in research on epigenetic variation in non-model crop species. In this review, we summarize the most recent findings on the roles of DNA methylation under drought stress in crops, including methylating and demethylating enzymes, the global methylation dynamics, the dual regulation of DNA methylation on gene expression, the RNA-dependent DNA methylation (RdDM) pathway, alternative splicing (AS) events and long non-coding RNAs (lnc RNAs). We also discuss drought-induced stress memory. These epigenomic findings provide valuable potential for developing strategies to improve crop drought tolerance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic and Biotic Stress of the Crops and Horticultural Plants)
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14 pages, 1474 KiB  
Review
Physical Seed Dormancy in Legumes: Molecular Advances and Perspectives
by Zhaozhu Wen, Xuran Lu, Jiangqi Wen, Zengyu Wang and Maofeng Chai
Plants 2024, 13(11), 1473; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13111473 - 27 May 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1238
Abstract
Physical dormancy of seeds is a form of dormancy due to the presence of an impermeable seed coat layer, and it represents a feature for plants to adapt to environmental changes over an extended period of phylogenetic evolution. However, in agricultural practice, physical [...] Read more.
Physical dormancy of seeds is a form of dormancy due to the presence of an impermeable seed coat layer, and it represents a feature for plants to adapt to environmental changes over an extended period of phylogenetic evolution. However, in agricultural practice, physical dormancy is problematic. because it prevents timely and uniform seed germination. Therefore, physical dormancy is an important agronomical trait to target in breeding and domestication, especially for many leguminous crops. Compared to the well-characterized physiological dormancy, research progress on physical dormancy at the molecular level has been limited until recent years, due to the lack of suitable research materials. This review focuses on the structure of seed coat, factors affecting physical dormancy, genes controlling physical dormancy, and plants suitable for studying physical dormancy at the molecular level. Our goal is to provide a plethora of information for further molecular research on physical dormancy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic and Biotic Stress of the Crops and Horticultural Plants)
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