Integration of nitric oxide signaling in plant stress responses: unveiling its role in enhancing crop tolerance to abiotic stress

NO is a crucial signaling molecule that regulates various physiological and metabolic processes in plants, including photosynthesis and stress responses. NO is vital in maintaining intracellular ionic balance, enabling plants to adapt to environmental stressors by modulating protein activity and gene expression. It interacts with essential plant hormones, influencing stomatal movement, root development, and stress tolerance. NO establishes a crucial intracellular ionic environment, safeguarding cellular processes and mitigating environmental stressors. Its ability to sense protein activity and gene function changes enables NO to counteract diverse stressors. Studies, such as those involving NO-induced genes in the ABA signaling pathway, showcase its active modulation of drought stresses in Arabidopsis. In contrast, specific signaling pathways for various stress conditions remain under investigation. Exploring NO’s diverse roles in plants, particularly its responses to abiotic stressors, provides insights into adaptive strategies for growth in challenging environments and addresses global food security concerns. Despite progress, persistent gaps in understanding NO’s roles in germination, senescence, and seed dormancy underscore the need for further research.