Mechanistic Bases of Plant Adaptation to Water and Nutrient Scarcity

Water and nutrient scarcity present severe challenges to plant development and survival in arid and semi-arid environments. Elucidating the physiological, molecular, and cellular mechanisms that underpin plant adaptation to these constraints is vital for advancing plant biology and addressing future agricultural challenges. Recent research has highlighted complex networks of plant responses including the regulation of stress-responsive genes, metabolic adjustments, root system architecture, and dynamic signaling pathways. However, significant gaps remain in the mechanistic understanding of how plants sense, integrate, and respond to prolonged resource limitation.This Research Topic invites contributions that advance the mechanistic understanding of plant growth, development, and stress resilience under water and nutrient limitation. We also welcome studies on the simulation and impact of environmental stress on crop growth, such as water, heat, salt, fertilizer, and others, providing a holistic view of plant adaptation under combined resource and environmental challenges.We welcome original research, reviews, and perspectives on novel physiological, molecular, and biochemical processes, focusing on the following themes:• Signal transduction, gene expression, and regulatory networks in adaptation to resource scarcity• Physiological and metabolic reprogramming in response to drought and nutrient stress• Root system development, organelle dynamics, and cellular resource allocation mechanisms• Evolutionary and comparative studies of stress-tolerant plant species• Quantitative analyses and omics approaches to reveal adaptive responses• Integration of plant-microbe interactions into mechanistic models of resource uptake• Modeling physiological responses and predicting adaptation outcomes under climate change scenariosEmphasis should be placed on studies that provide mechanistic insights and advance fundamental understanding, rather than solely on field management or agronomic practices. By integrating research at molecular, cellular, and organismal levels, this Research Topic aims to support global efforts in sustainable plant productivity and climate resilience. Topic editors: Xianyue Li, Ning Chen, Xiaobo Gu, Spyridon Alexandros Petropoulos Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/75065/mechanistic-bases-of-plant-adaptation-to-water-and-nutrient-scarcity