Plant Defense Under Abiotic and Biotic Stress: Exploring Chemical and Structural Barriers

Plant defense biology lies at the intersection of physiology, biochemistry, and molecular adaptation. Increasing frequencies of extreme environmental conditions caused by climate change have intensified both abiotic and biotic stresses on agricultural and natural ecosystems. Plants, being sessile organisms, depend on a well-orchestrated combination of structural barriers and metabolic responses to mitigate these stresses. Physical barriers—including the cuticle, cell wall, trichomes, bark, and suberin-rich tissues—form essential layers of defense that limit water loss, restrict pathogen ingress, and protect against oxidative damage and radiation. Recent findings reveal that these structural layers are not static but dynamically remodel in response to environmental cues and stress signals, offering a sophisticated first line of protection. At the same time, chemical defenses involving phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, phytoalexins, antimicrobial peptides, and reactive oxygen species complement physical barriers, providing antioxidative and immune functionality. These dual systems exhibit extensive cross-regulation, suggesting a harmonized network of defense rather than independent responses.This Research Topic aims to deepen the understanding of the mechanisms underlying structural and chemical adaptation in plants exposed to both abiotic and biotic stress. The goal is to integrate recent discoveries in plant surface biology, stress signaling, metabolic reprogramming, and multi-omics analyses to uncover how plants coordinate defense responses at the cellular and system levels. It invites studies exploring the biosynthesis and regulation of cuticular and suberized structures, secondary metabolite production, and the genetic and molecular control of stress-responsive pathways. Researchers are encouraged to address questions such as: how are structural and chemical defenses developmentally or environmentally coordinated, and how can this knowledge be leveraged biotechnologically to enhance plant resilience? A special emphasis will be placed on translational approaches that connect basic discoveries with applications in sustainable agriculture and crop improvement.To gather further insights into integrative plant defense mechanisms, this Research Topic welcomes contributions that address, but are not limited to, the following themes:• Physical and chemical barriers in plants in response to biotic and abiotic stresses• Structural reinforcements as passive and active defense strategies• The role of phenolic compounds, antioxidants, and signaling pathways in stress resilience• Recent methodological advances for studying plant surface and biochemical barriers• Biotechnological interventions and innovations for modifying and enhancing defense barriersArticle types: Original Research, Reviews, and Perspectives. Topic editors: Gulab Chand Arya, Alicia García Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/76077/plant-defense-under-abiotic-and-biotic-stress-exploring-chemical-and-structural-barriers