Hormonal regulation of crop adaptation to UV-B radiation stress: implications for UV-B-Resistant crop varieties and sustainable agriculture

Ultraviolet-B (UV-B: 280–315 nm) radiation stress severely compromises crop quality and productivity, necessitating the development of effective adaptive mechanisms. For plants to coordinate these adaptive responses, hormonal control is crucial. However, knowledge of key hormones associated with UV-B radiation stress remains limited. This review examines the main hormonal pathways that help plants adapt to UV-B radiation stress. Stomatal closure is mediated by the essential signalling molecule abscisic acid (ABA), which limits water loss. Jasmonic acid (JA) signalling facilitates both the induction of UV-B stress defence mechanisms and the production of shielding secondary metabolites. Salicylic acid (SA) also significantly increases plant tolerance to UV-B radiation stress and UV-B-induced systemic acquired resistance. Understanding the complex hormonal regulatory systems that control how plants respond to UV-B radiation stress has the potential to lead to the development of UV-B tolerant crop varieties.