Advances in Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) Stress Adaptation: Focus on Transcription Factors and Major Stress-Related Genes

Beet (<i>Beta vulgaris</i> L.) is an important economic crop widely cultivated across various regions worldwide. Its agricultural significance lies not only in its high sugar yield but also in its positive impact on agro-ecosystems and the economic value of its by-products. However, beet production and quality are adversely affected by multiple abiotic and biotic stresses, including pathogen infection, drought, salinity, and extreme temperatures. In recent years, numerous key stress-responsive genes have been identified, including <i>BvPAL</i>, <i>BvPR</i>, and <i>Rz1-4</i>, which mediate responses to biotic stresses, and <i>BvM14-SAMS2</i>, <i>BvINT1;1</i>, <i>BvHMA3</i>, <i>BvCOLD1</i>, and <i>BvALKBH10B</i>, which enhance tolerance to abiotic stresses. Meanwhile, core transcription factors such as bHLH, HSP, WRKY, and SPL show differential expression under stresses, suggesting that they may regulate stress-related genes and constitute major transcriptional modules enabling beet to withstand adverse conditions. In this study, we summarize the changes in beet under different stress conditions, combining gene information to reveal key regulatory changes in stress responses and how these molecular processes contribute to stress adaptation. This not only provides a theoretical basis for the improvement of beet stress tolerance and yield, but also offers potential directions for future breeding strategies in practical applications.