Guest Editors
Prof. Dr. Michael Moustakas, Department of Botany, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Dr. Ilektra Sperdouli, Institute of Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources, Hellenic Agricultural Organization-Dimitra, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
Summary
Abiotic and biotic stress factors are the main reasons of crop yield reduction. Photosynthesis, that is extremely responsive to various biotic and abiotic stresses is the device of crop productivity with a multidimensional relationship to plant growth. Plant responses to biotic stress is through a downregulation of photosynthesis but there are examples of compensatory stimulations with some plant species to be able to compensate for the resources lost to herbivory and do not suffer any growth decline after herbivore attack. Abiotic stress results to decreased photosynthetic efficiency and increased oxidative damage by the surplus reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, that can harm the chloroplast, and particularly photosystem II (PSII). However, plants have developed several energetic approaches at the morphological, physiological and biochemical levels, allowing them to avoid and/or tolerate abiotic stress.
In the quest to meet the global demand for food, the photosynthetic function of food crops under environmental stress conditions poses a significant challenge for plant scientists and crop breeders. Manipulating photosynthesis offers promising opportunities to enhance crop yield. Hence, a comprehensive understanding of plant responses and a deeper comprehension of the photosynthetic machinery under environmental stresses can facilitate the development of high-yielding crop varieties. Manipulating plants with enhanced abiotic stress tolerance will involve a complete understanding of ROS signaling and the regulatory functions of several other components, including secondary metabolites, transcription factors, phytohormones, and protein kinases, in the responses of photosynthetic apparatus to biotic and abiotic stresses.
Continuous research efforts are dedicated to understanding the functioning of the photosynthetic machinery and exploring avenues for its improvement. This Research Topic aims to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the photosynthetic responses to biotic and abiotic stresses, thereby advancing our understanding of plant photosynthesis under stress conditions. Such knowledge can pave the way for the development of practical interventions aimed at increasing agricultural productivity, a critical aspect considering the current climate change scenarios. Recognizing how plants respond and adapt their metabolism to biotic and abiotic stresses is crucial in meeting global food and feed requirements.
Keywords
drought stress, salt stress, herbivores, heavy metal stress, light stress, UV radiation, temperature stress, nutrient deficiency, pathogens, reactive oxygen species
Published Papers
Login
Register
Submit a Paper
Propose a Special lssue