Setaria viridis: a biological model for studying plant responses to climate stress

Abstract Abiotic stresses such as water deficit, salinity, temperature fluctuations and elevated concentrations of atmospheric CO 2 are among the significant environmental events associated with global climate changes affecting plant development. In this context, the monocot species Setaria viridis (L.) P. Beauv. (Poaceae) is an emerging model for plant species with C 4 photosynthesis because it has many attributes, such as simple growth requirements, a short life cycle, small stature and a sequenced genome, making it ideal for studies in plant biology. Understanding the morphophysiological and molecular responses of S. viridis to several abiotic factors is critical for understanding the fundamental mechanisms governing the growth and adaptation of C 4 plants and developing climate-resilient crops in the context of climate change. This manuscript highlights the novel perspectives and functional mechanisms associated with how S. viridis can respond to abiotic stresses and its importance to the future of C 4 species, reinforcing S. viridis as a powerful model for understanding grass biology.