Affiliation:
1. Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain 15551, United Arab Emirates
2. Institute of Genomics for Crop Abiotic Stress Tolerance, Department of Plant and Soil Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
Abstract
With the growing global population, abiotic factors have emerged as a formidable threat to agricultural food production. If left unaddressed, these stress factors might reduce food yields by up to 25% by 2050. Plants utilize natural mechanisms, such as reactive oxygen species scavenging, to mitigate the adverse impacts of abiotic stressors. Diverse plants exhibit unique adaptations to abiotic stresses, which are regulated by phytohormones at various levels. Brassinosteroids (BRs) play a crucial role in controlling essential physiological processes in plants, including seed germination, xylem differentiation, and reproduction. The BR cascade serves as the mechanism through which plants respond to environmental stimuli, including drought and extreme temperatures. Despite two decades of research, the complex signaling of BRs under different stress conditions is still being elucidated. Manipulating BR signaling, biosynthesis, or perception holds promise for enhancing crop resilience. This review explores the role of BRs in signaling cascades and summarizes their substantial contribution to plants’ ability to withstand abiotic stresses.
Funder
UAE University grants UPAR
AUA
SDG Research Program
Subject
Inorganic Chemistry,Organic Chemistry,Physical and Theoretical Chemistry,Computer Science Applications,Spectroscopy,Molecular Biology,General Medicine,Catalysis