Plant resilience under abiotic stress: all for one or one for all?

Abstract

Background: Plants are continuously challenged by diverse abiotic stresses, which compromise growth, photosynthesis, and nutrient homeostasis. This review aims to elucidate the roles of antioxidant systems and mineral nutrients in stress adaptation, and to highlight the potential of multi-omics approaches to enhance crop resilience. Methods: A comprehensive synthesis of current research on enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant mechanisms, nutrient interactions, and stress physiology was performed. Multi-omics datasets—including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, ionomics, and miRNomics were analyzed to assess nutrient acquisition, redistribution, and signaling under stress. Genotype-specific responses, stress memory, and ROS–Ca2⁺–hormone cross-talk were emphasized. High-throughput phenotyping and genome-editing strategies were also considered. Results: Evidence shows that plants employ integrated antioxidant systems to maintain redox balance and mitigate reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced damage. Mineral nutrients act as enzymatic cofactors, regulate antioxidant activity, and modulate osmotic adjustment and signaling pathways. In addition, interactions between essential and toxic metals involve both competitive and protective mechanisms that influence metal uptake, transport, and detoxification. Multi-omics studies highlight genotype- and stress-history-dependent responses and reveal complex ROS–Ca2⁺–hormone signaling networks. Conclusions: The integration of antioxidant defenses, nutrient homeostasis, and signaling networks is critical for plant resilience under abiotic stress. Multi-omics and advanced phenotyping provide actionable insights for developing nutrient-efficient, stress-tolerant crops. Coordinating redox and nutrient signaling pathways represents a promising strategy to translate molecular basis into agronomic solutions for sustaining productivity under climate change.