Crop Responses to Environmental Stresses: Unraveling the Molecular and Physiological Mechanisms

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Crop Physiology and Crop Production".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2024 | Viewed by 908

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Faculty of Agronomy, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Interests: plant physiology; crop ecophysiology

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Guest Editor
Escuela de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional de San Martín, San Martín , Argentina
Interests: plants; crop; genomics; molecular biology; bioinformatics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Crop plants are increasingly challenged by various environmental stresses, such as climate change, water scarcity, and soil degradation, which pose significant threats to global food security. It is crucial to comprehend the molecular and physiological responses of crops to these challenges in order to ensure sustainable agriculture. By delving into the intricate networks at the molecular and physiological levels in crops, we can identify key regulatory pathways, biomarkers, and genetic determinants that mediate stress tolerance and resilience. This knowledge will enable us to develop strategies aimed at enhancing stress tolerance and improving crop productivity amidst escalating environmental challenges.

This Special Issue aims to gain insights into how crop plants adapt and respond to environmental stresses. Manuscripts focusing on elucidating novel mechanisms underlying stress perception, signal transduction, cellular and metabolic responses, and cross-talk among different stress pathways are strongly encouraged. We also welcome contributions that shed light on innovative approaches, methodologies, and technologies for enhancing stress tolerance in diverse crop species.

Join us in unraveling the molecular and physiological mechanisms governing crop responses to environmental stresses, as we strive to secure sustainable food production and mitigate the global impact of climate change.

Dr. Edmundo Leonardo Ploschuk
Dr. Paula Del Carmen Fernández
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • crop
  • environmental stress
  • abiotic stress
  • molecular mechanism
  • physiological mechanism

Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

19 pages, 3483 KiB  
Article
Examining Chlorophyll Extraction Methods in Sesame Genotypes: Uncovering Leaf Coloration Effects and Anatomy Variations
by Muez Berhe, Jun You, Komivi Dossa, Donghua Li, Rong Zhou, Yanxin Zhang and Linhai Wang
Plants 2024, 13(12), 1589; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13121589 - 7 Jun 2024
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Abstract
This study focuses on optimizing chlorophyll extraction techniques, in which leaf discs are cut from places on the leaf blade to enhance chlorophyll concentration in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) leaves. Thirty sesame genotypes, categorized into light green (LG), middle green (MG), and [...] Read more.
This study focuses on optimizing chlorophyll extraction techniques, in which leaf discs are cut from places on the leaf blade to enhance chlorophyll concentration in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) leaves. Thirty sesame genotypes, categorized into light green (LG), middle green (MG), and deep green (DG) pigment groups based on leaf coloration, were selected from a larger pool of field-grown accessions. The investigation involved determining optimal Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) value index measurements, quantifying pigment concentrations, exploring extraction solvents, and selecting suitable leaf disk positions. Significant variations in chlorophyll content were observed across genotypes, greenness categories, and leaf disk positions. The categorization of genotypes into DG, MG, and LG groups revealed a correlation between leaf appearance and chlorophyll content. The study highlighted a consistent relationship between carotenoids and chlorophyll, indicating their role in adaptation to warm environments. An examination of leaf disk positions revealed a significant chlorophyll gradient along the leaf blade, emphasizing the need for standardized protocols. Chlorophyll extraction experiments identified DMSO and 96% ethanol, particularly in those incubated for 10 min at 85 °C, as effective choices. This recommendation considers factors like cost-effectiveness, time efficiency, safety, and environmental regulations, ensuring consistent and simplified extraction processes. For higher chlorophyll extraction, focusing on leaf tips and the 75% localization along the sesame leaf blade is suggested, as this consistently yields increased chlorophyll content. Furthermore, our examination revealed significant anatomical variations in the internal structure of the mesophyll tissue leaves between deep green and light green sesame plants, primarily linked to chloroplast density and pigment-producing structures. Our findings, therefore, provide insightful knowledge of chlorophyll gradients and encourage the use of standardized protocols that enable researchers to refine their experimental designs for precise and comparable chlorophyll measurements. The recommended solvent choices ensure reliable outcomes in plant physiology, ecology, and environmental studies. Full article
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