Stress-Driven Plant Secondary Metabolism: Molecular Reprogramming, Regulatory Networks and Biotechnological Applications

Plants constantly face a myriad of biotic and abiotic stresses—drought, salinity, extreme temperatures, pathogen attack, and herbivory—that severely impact growth, yield, and survival. Secondary metabolites act as core adaptive molecules that are dynamically reprogrammed upon stress exposure to defend against adverse conditions and mediate plant-environment interactions. Stress-triggered shifts in flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids and phenolic compounds are tightly linked to plant survival, fitness and stress tolerance. Although numerous stress-responsive metabolites have been documented, the upstream signalling cascades, transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulatory circuits, and the biosynthetic fine-tuning that redistributes metabolic flux under different stress combinations remain far from fully understood, especially in non-model crops. Advanced multi-omics, gene-editing and functional genomic tools now enable deeper dissection of stress-activated metabolic pathways across model and economically important plant species, yet the regulatory hubs and ecological trade-offs behind stress-induced metabolic shifts, and the biotechnological routes to exploit them, remain largely unexplored.This Research Topic aims to compile state-of-the-art advances centred on stress-driven secondary metabolic reprogramming in plants. It focuses on unravelling how stress signals reshape metabolite biosynthesis and regulatory modules, as well as how these metabolic changes support plant adaptive performance. By integrating multi-omics, genetics, biochemistry, and ecology, we intend to connect molecular mechanistic findings with stress adaptation phenotypes, highlighting knowledge gaps in stress-responsive metabolic cascades. Beyond mechanism, we aim to carry these findings towards their biotechnological outlets, including engineering of biosynthetic pathways, breeding for metabolite-based quality traits, and elicitation or cultivation strategies that direct metabolite accumulation. This topic also hopes to inspire new strategies for improving plant stress resilience.In this Topic, we welcome original research, reviews, and methods articles covering stress-driven plant secondary metabolism, including but not limited to:• Stress-triggered reprogramming of secondary metabolic pathways, including flux redistribution among growth-, defence- and quality-related branches• Multi-omics identification of stress-responsive metabolic genes, regulatory hubs and transcriptional or post-transcriptional networks• Functional validation of key biosynthetic, transport and regulatory genes under stress• Metabolite-mediated stress tolerance, adaptive performance and plant-environment interactions• Biotechnological exploitation of stress-responsive pathways, including metabolic engineering, pathway reconstitution and gene-editing-assisted modulation of metabolite profiles• Translation into applied outcomes: metabolite-based quality traits, molecular breeding targets, and elicitation or cultivation strategies that direct metabolite accumulation--------------We welcome contributions from researchers across the field, and we are glad to support you as you prepare your submission. If you would like early feedback on whether your planned manuscript fits the scope of this Research Topic, please write to us at plantscience@frontiersin.org before submitting. A quick check at this stage helps confirm your work is a strong fit and can save you time later in the process.To take part, click “Participate in this topic” at the top right of this page, then confirm through the “Participate” link in the follow-up email. This lets us know to expect your contribution, keeps you informed of key deadlines, and gives you access to resources that guide you through submission. We look forward to your participation and to building a vibrant, cohesive Research Topic together. ” Topic editors: SHENGCAI LIU, Xiao Hui Hu, Carlos R. Figueroa Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/85810/stress-driven-plant-secondary-metabolism-molecular-reprogramming-regulatory-networks-and-biotechnological-applications