Shaping plant resilience through nitrate nutrition: Insights from the crosstalk between nitrate signaling and stress response

Environmental stresses are a constant challenge for plants and a key determinant of how plants respond to these stressors is their nutritional status, particularly the availability of essential nutrients such as nitrate (NO3-). Recent research has uncovered a complex crosstalk between nitrate signaling pathways and stress response. In addition to being a key macronutrient, NO3- acts as a signaling molecule that modulates various aspects of plant metabolism and defense. This review explores two layers of interaction between nitrate signaling and plant resilience: indirect crosstalk mediated by the regulation of interconnected physiological processes, and direct crosstalk via specific regulatory proteins. By examining how NO3- availability influences stress responses, we aim to provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying plant resilience. This understanding holds significant potential for promoting more sustainable agricultural practices and enhancing crop performance under stress conditions.