Cold stress tolerance mechanisms in plants. A review

Abstract

The human population is increasing at an alarming rate, whereas at the same time agricultural productivity is decreasing due to the effect of various environmental problems. In particular, cold stress is a serious threat to the sustainability of crop yields. Indeed, cold stress can lead to major crop losses. Various phenotypic symptoms in response to cold stress include poor germination, stunted seedlings, yellowing of leaves (chlorosis), reduced leaf expansion and wilting, and may lead to death of tissue (necrosis). Cold stress also severely hampers the reproductive development of plants. The major negative effect of cold stress is that it induces severe membrane damage. This damage is largely due to the acute dehydration associated with freezing during cold stress. Cold stress is perceived by the receptor at the cell membrane. Then a signal is transduced to switch on the cold-responsive genes and transcription factors for mediating stress tolerance. Understanding the mechanism of cold stress tolerance and genes involved in the cold stress signaling network is important for crop improvement. Here, I review cold stress tolerance mechanisms in plants. The major points discussed are the following: (1) physiological effects of cold stress, (2) sensing of cold temperatures and signal transduction, and (3) the role of various cold-responsive genes and transcription factors in the mechanism of cold stress tolerance. cold stress / signal transduction / cold-responsive genes / transcription factors

Genome-wide gene expression profiling of introgressed indica rice alleles associated with seedling cold tolerance improvement in a japonica rice background

“…Cold stress tolerance mechanisms in plants include cold signal perception, activation of transcription factors (TFs) by signal transduction, and expression of cold-responsive genes for mediating stress tolerance [2]. The plant cell membrane represents an ideal location for the primary temperature stress sensor, because one of the immediate effects of temperature stress in plants is a change in membrane fluidity [3].…”

Stress-Tolerant Feedstocks for Sustainable Bioenergy Production on Marginal Land

“…All plant species are adapted to a range of optimal temperatures, but when they are subjected to temperatures outside that range, physiological, metabolic, and molecular changes occur to maintain homeostasis under suboptimal conditions [193]. If the plant experiences suboptimal temperatures for an extended period, these processes become more impaired and abnormal until temperatures reach lethal levels [193].…”

“…If the plant experiences suboptimal temperatures for an extended period, these processes become more impaired and abnormal until temperatures reach lethal levels [193]. Both low and high temperatures can cause physiological stress symptoms and physical damage in plants.…”

“…Low-temperature stress can be caused by both freezing (temperatures less than −1°C) and chilling (0-18°C). The injuries caused by low temperatures for both freezing and chilling can be seen within 48 to 72 h and may include phenotypic changes (e.g., wilting, reduced leaf expansion, chlorosis, and necrosis) [193]. Reproductive processes and structures are also severely affected by cold, which can lead to pollen and flower sterility [193].…”

“…The injuries caused by low temperatures for both freezing and chilling can be seen within 48 to 72 h and may include phenotypic changes (e.g., wilting, reduced leaf expansion, chlorosis, and necrosis) [193]. Reproductive processes and structures are also severely affected by cold, which can lead to pollen and flower sterility [193]. Likewise, exposure to cold in the germination and establishment phases can lead to low germination rate, stunting of seedling growth, chlorosis, and reduced tillering in grasses [193].…”