Innovative Practices for Sustaining Mediterranean Agriculture Under Abiotic Stress

Mediterranean agriculture faces immense challenges due to abiotic stressors such as extreme temperatures, prolonged droughts, and salinity, particularly under the accelerating impacts of climate change. These stressors undermine plant health, severely impacting crop productivity and posing significant risks to regional food security and economic stability. Abiotic stresses interfere with essential physiological and biochemical processes in plants, disrupting growth, nutrient uptake, and stress responses. Moreover, stress-induced changes in secondary metabolite production can lower crop quality and market value. Despite recent advances, there is a critical need to enhance plant resilience and secure stable yields, all while preserving the region's natural resource balance.This Research Topic aims to identify and explore innovative and sustainable strategies to combat the negative effects of abiotic stress on Mediterranean crops, emphasizing plant physiology and resilient agricultural practices. Given the increasing intensity of climate change-related stressors like drought and heatwaves, it is essential to deepen our understanding of the dynamic interactions affecting plant responses. Additionally, we seek to apply basic research to enhance crop yield and pre- and post-harvest product quality sustainably. This comprehensive approach aims to develop effective mitigation strategies that ensure the long-term viability of Mediterranean cropping systems.To gather further insights into these challenges and opportunities, we welcome articles focusing on, but not limited to, the following themes:• Plant health and physiological responses to abiotic stress, covering mechanisms of drought tolerance, heat stress adaptation, and biochemical pathways for stress mitigation• Impact of abiotic stressors on yield quality, particularly concerning fruit quality attributes and secondary metabolite production• Effect of environmental factors and cultivation techniques on crop physiology and their impact on production and product quality• Physiological regulation of crop production and the quality of products at harvest, including postharvest behaviorThis Research Topic invites original research, reviews, and case studies to contribute their insights, fostering a multidisciplinary discussion that advances resilient agricultural practices for the Mediterranean region. Topic editors: Lia Dinis, Sandra Martins, Cristiano Fortuna Soares, Tommaso Frioni Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/70991/innovative-practices-for-sustaining-mediterranean-agriculture-under-abiotic-stress