Interplay between nitric oxide and sulfur assimilation in salt tolerance in plants

Nitric oxide (NO), a versatile molecule, plays multiple roles in plant growth and development and is a key signaling molecule in plant response to abiotic stress. Nutrient management strategy is critical for abiotic stress alleviation in plants. Sulfur (S) is important under stress conditions, as its assimilatory products neutralize the imbalances in cells created by excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). NO abates the harmful effects of ROS by enhancing antioxidant enzymes, stimulating S assimilation, and reacting with other target molecules, and regulates the expression of various stress-responsive genes under salt stress. This review focuses on the role of NO and S in responses of plants to salt stress, and describes the crosstalk between NO and S assimilation in salt tolerance. The regulation of NO and/or S assimilation using molecular biology tools may help crops to withstand salinity stress

Salicylic acid-induced abiotic stress tolerance and underlying mechanisms in plants

Abiotic stresses (such as metals/metalloids, salinity, ozone, UV-B radiation, extreme temperatures and drought) are among the most challenging threats to agricultural system and economic yield of crop plants. These stresses (in isolation and/or combination) induce numerous adverse effects in plants, impair biochemical/physiological and molecular processes, and eventually cause severe reductions in plant growth, development and overall productivity. Phytohormones have been recognized as a strong tool for sustainably alleviating adverse effects of abiotic stresses in crop plants. The significance of salicylic acid (SA) has been increasingly recognized in improved plant abiotic stress-tolerance via SA-mediated control of major plant-metabolic processes. However, the basic biochemical/physiological and molecular mechanisms that potentially underpin SA-induced plant-tolerance to major abiotic stresses remain least discussed. Based on recent reports, this paper: (a) overviews historical background and biosynthesis of SA under both optimal and stressful environments in plants; (b) critically appraises the role of SA in plants exposed to major abiotic stresses; (c) cross-talks potential mechanisms those are expected to govern SA-induced plant abiotic stress-tolerance; and finally (d) briefly highlights major aspects so far unexplored in the current context

Melatonin in Plant Defense against Abiotic Stress

Abiotic stress adversely affects plant growth and metabolism and as such reduces plant productivity. Recognized as a major contributor in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), it hinders the growth of plants through induction of oxidative stress. Biostimulants such as melatonin have a multifunctional role, acting as a defense strategy in minimizing the effects of oxidative stress. Melatonin plays important role in plant processes ranging from seed germination to senescence, besides performing the function of a biostimulant in improving the plant’s productivity. In addition to its important role in the signaling cascade, melatonin acts as an antioxidant that helps in scavenging ROS, generated as part of different stresses among plants. The current study was undertaken to elaborate the synthesis and regulation of melatonin in plants, besides emphasizing its function under various abiotic stress namely, salt, temperature, herbicides, heavy metals, and drought. Additionally, a special consideration was put on the crosstalk of melatonin with phytohormones to overcome plant abiotic stress

Can plant bio-regulators minimize crop productivity losses caused by drought, salinity and heat stress? An integrated review

Ratnakumar P, Khan MIR, Minhas PS, et al. Can plant bio-regulators minimize crop productivity losses caused by drought, salinity and heat stress? An integrated review. JOURNAL OF APPLIED BOTANY AND FOOD QUALITY. 2016;89:113-125.Plant bio-regulators (PBRs), are biochemical compounds stimulates plant growth and productivity when applied, even in small quantities at appropriate plant growth stages. These are being extensively used in agriculture to enhance the productivity particularly in horticultural crops but are not as prevalent in field crops. Their central role in plant growth and development is through nutrient allocation and source-sink transitions while most of the PBRs stimulate redox signaling under abiotic stress conditions. Since climate change and degrading natural resources are projected to amplify the stresses, particularly soil moisture deficit, high temperature and soil salinity, PBRs are likely to play a crucial role in plant growth regulation. However, the utility of PBRs to enhance crop productivity under stresses induced by abiotic factors needs critical evaluation. Research efforts so far have centered on the crop and agro-ecosystem specificity, optimal doses and schedule of their application for optimizing crop yields under stress conditions. These efforts are being complemented by investigations on genes and gene regulatory network at molecular level to tailor crop plants for climate resilience. In addition to complying with regulation governing use of bio-chemicals, issues related to crop yield losses in case of excessive doses as well as their impacts on soil health are being addressed. In this review, prospects and pathways of PBRs are thrashed out as an emerging stress alleviating technology for crop production in harsh agro-ecosystems, specifically those featured by drought, heat and salinity stress

Too much is bad-an appraisal of phytotoxicity of elevated plant-beneficial heavy metal ions

Heavy metal ions such as cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn) are considered essential/beneficial for optimal plant growth, development, and productivity. However, these ions readily impact functions of many enzymes and proteins, halt metabolism, and exhibit phytotoxicity at supra-optimum supply. Nevertheless, the concentrations of these heavy metal ions are increasing in agricultural soils worldwide via both natural and anthropogenic sources that need immediate attention. Considering recent breakthroughs on Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, and Zn in soil–plant system, the present paper: (a) overviews the status in soils and their uptake, transport, and significance in plants; (b) critically discusses their elevated level-mediated toxicity to both plant growth/development and cell/genome; (c) briefly cross talks on the significance of potential interactions between previous plant-beneficial heavy metal ions in plants; and (d) highlights so far unexplored aspects in the current context