Auxin biodynamics and its integral role in enhancing plant resilience to environmental cues

Abstract

Auxins are essential plant hormones that regulate growth, development, and responses to environmental stressors. Plants frequently encounter challenges such as pests, diseases, high temperatures, drought, and salinity, which necessitate adaptive mechanisms for survival. Auxins modulate stress-responsive signaling pathways by regulating gene expression and interacting with other phytohormones, thereby influencing physiological processes that maintain homeostasis under stress conditions. This review elucidates the molecular mechanisms through which auxins mediate plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. The findings indicate that auxins are pivotal in activating defense mechanisms and regulating stress signaling pathways. Differential expression of auxin-related genes has been observed in various crops under stress conditions, underscoring their role in enhancing resistance against pathogens and improving drought tolerance. Additionally, auxins influence root architecture and growth responses, facilitating adaptations such as trichome development for defense against herbivory. Moreover, the interplay between auxin signaling and other phytohormones is crucial for effective stress responses. Overall, auxins play a multifaceted role in enabling plants to cope with environmental stresses by regulating growth and activating defense mechanisms. Understanding these complex signaling pathways involving auxins can inform future research aimed at engineering resilient plant varieties capable of thriving in changing climates. Further studies are needed to clarify the specific functions of auxin in various stress contexts and to develop practical applications for crop improvement.

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