Gene Families Controlling Frost Stress: A review

Frost stress is a major abiotic factor affecting plant development, reproduction, membrane integrity, germination, and overall productivity. It influences plants at the morphological, physiological, and cellular levels. In response to cold stress, phenotypic signs include poor germination, stunted growth, yellowing of leaves (chlorosis), decreased leaf growth and wilting, and tissue death (necrosis). Cold stress also has a negative impact on plant fertility. The primary detrimental impact of cold stress is significant membrane damage. This damage is mostly the result of severe dehydration caused by freezing during cold stress. Different plants have distinct mechanisms in response to frost stress. Varieties of the same plant species that have lived in subtropical climatic conditions for long periods are not frost tolerant and do not exhibit cold acclimation. Winter varieties are those that respond to cold acclimation or develop frost tolerance, while spring varieties are those that cannot positively respond to cold acclimation or develop frost tolerance. The objective of the present review is to identify genes and their families that play a significant role in controlling frost stress. Different genes, such as QTL, CBF, PPR, GWAS, COR, IRI, FLt-2L, Fr-I, AFP, QM, TPT, Fr-B1, Fr-B2, LEA, IRI-1, and IRI-2, including families identified, are involved.