About this Research Topic
To determine the effects of abiotic stresses and the possible resistance mechanisms and/or mitigating aspects of these stresses in crops, the study of physiological, biochemical, and molecular responses in horticultural crops is of the utmost importance. Moreover, the biotic stresses, which include viruses, fungi, bacteria, insects, vectors and nematodes, substantially hamper the vigour and productivity of horticultural crops.
It is interesting to understand the role of biostimulant chemicals, hormones, novel chemicals and/or the use of microorganisms in agriculture has increased the tolerance of crop plants to abiotic and biotic stresses, allowing for enhanced yield in horticultural crops. The novel phytochemicals, secondary metabolites and antimicrobial peptides have recently been reported to mitigate the detrimental effect of abiotic and biotic stresses via the enhanced activity of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, phytohormonal interaction, defense gene activation and systemic resistance.
Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) play an important role in regulating plant responses to abiotic and biotic stress conditions. These beneficial microorganisms enhance plant resilience through several mechanisms, including the production of phytohormones, such as auxins and gibberellins, which modulate plant growth and development. Understanding the mechanistic insights of PGPR-mediated stress regulation can lead to innovative strategies for sustainable agriculture and improved crop productivity under stress conditions.
In this context, we are proposing this Research Topic which will be a compilation of Original Research, Reviews and Methods articles that will impart an in-depth understanding of morphophysiological, biochemical and molecular tolerance mechanisms against abiotic and biotic factors in horticultural crops.
Sub-topics may include, but are by no means limited to:
• Current intervention on physiological and biochemical responses and mechanism of abiotic and biotic stress in horticultural crops
• Signalling mechanisms and pathways involved in the regulation of stress responses
• Phytohormonal cross-talk and associated mechanisms under stress conditions
• Epigenomics, genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics approaches in horticultural crops’ response to abiotic stress
• Osmotic adjustments and reactive species signalling in response to abiotic and biotic stress
• Transcriptional and translational regulation of stress response in horticultural crops
• Application of novel phytoprotectants in mitigation of stresses in horticultural crops
• Mechanistic insight of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) mediated regulation of abiotic and biotic stresses
Disclaimer: Please note that studies solely describing the effects of climatic conditions or abiotic stressors on horticultural crops, without providing mechanistic insights or physiological explanations, will not be considered for review. Research must go beyond mere observation and include detailed analysis and understanding of the underlying biological processes affected by environmental changes. Purely descriptive studies will not be considered.
Keywords: PGPR, horticultural crops, abiotic and biotic stress, salinity-stress, drought
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.