Crosstalk in Plant Defense: Bridging Abiotic and Biotic Stresses
Vasanthan E
Department of Entomology, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar, India.
Chandana Y Kundargi
Department of Plant Pathology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Karnataka, India.
Kamala Devappa Gaddennavar
Department of Entomology, College of Horticulture, Bengaluru, UHS, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India.
Soham Bachaspati
Department of Agriculture, Brainware University, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
Sharanabasav Huded
Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Warangal, Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
Kamal Yadav
*
Department of Entomology, School of Agricultural Sciences (SAS), Nagaland University, Nagaland, India.
Kumaresan Marappan
Department of Horticulture, School of Agriculture, Vels Institute of Science, Technology & Advanced Studies, Pallavaram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Rahul Pradhan
Division of Silviculture and Forest Management, Institute of Wood Science and Technology (ICFRE-IWST), Bengaluru, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Continuous exposure of plants to both biotic and abiotic stresses necessitate the use of an integrated signalling network for plant defence. Crosstalk signalling pathways of biotic and abiotic stresses result in antagonistic, synergistic interaction, which helps the plant respond differently from the single reaction of stress. Molecular mechanisms such as reactive oxygen species, calcium flux signalling, kinases, transcription factors and retrograde signalling, physiological mechanisms such as priming and defence and biotechnological strategies such as breeding, gene editing and chemicals, all are involved in crosstalk defence. Understanding and leveraging these interactions is critical for the production of varieties that can withstand the effects of both biotic and abiotic stresses with respect to climate change. ROS–Ca²⁺ signaling integrates biotic and abiotic stress response and activates MAPK cascades through defence gene regulation. Different hormonal pathways, such as JA, SA, and ethylene interactions help in cross-tolerance. These interconnected pathways help in shaping the plant's ability for defence signalling under combined stress conditions.
Keywords: Abiotic, biotic, crosstalk, cross-tolerance, defence and stress