Mechanical Stimulation-Induced Cross-Adaptation in Plants: An Overview

Abstract

Mechanical stimulation (MS), existing widely but ignored usually in nature, is one of the environmental stress factors. MS not only affects growth, development, morphogenesis, and even survival of plants, but also induces the formation of cross-adaptation. In cross-adaptation, plants make use of common pathways and components to adapt to a range of different stresses after exposure to one specific stress. Here, we summarize current knowledge of MS-induced cross-adaptation to chilling, heat, salt, drought, and pathogen stress, as well as its possible mechanisms. © 2011 The Author(s).