Nitrogen in plants: from nutrition to the modulation of abiotic stress adaptation
Jiayuan Ye, Wenhao Tian, Chong Wei Jin
Abstract
Abstract Nitrogen is one of the most important nutrient for plant growth and development; it is strongly associated with a variety of abiotic stress responses. As sessile organisms, plants have evolved to develop efficient strategies to manage N to support growth when exposed to a diverse range of stressors. This review summarizes the recent progress in the field of plant nitrate (NO 3 - ) and ammonium (NH 4 + ) uptake, which are the two major forms of N that are absorbed by plants. We explore the intricate relationship between NO 3 - /NH 4 + and abiotic stress responses in plants, focusing on stresses from nutrient deficiencies, unfavorable pH, ions, and drought. Although many molecular details remain unclear, research has revealed a number of core signaling regulators that are associated with N-mediated abiotic stress responses. An in-depth understanding and exploration of the molecular processes that underpin the interactions between N and abiotic stresses is useful in the design of effective strategies to improve crop growth, development, and productivity.