The role of sulfur in plant abiotic stress tolerance: Molecular interactions and defense mechanisms

Abstract

Sulfur (S) is an essential macronutrient in plants that serves numerous plant functions and is vital for the metabolic processes. Moreover, it is the constituent of some essential amino acids and metabolites. Recent studies have provided the notion that S not only improves the productivity of plants under normal condition but also protects them from abiotic stresses like salinity, drought, and toxic metals/ metalloids. Different S compounds directly act as antioxidants or modulate antioxidant defense system. Among them, glutathione (GSH) is regarded as one of the powerful antioxidants and stress protectors. Interactions of S with other biological molecules afford stress signaling to provide defense against environmental stresses. However, the S uptake, translocation, and mechanisms of action in plants under stressful conditions are still under research. The recent progress on the roles of S in conferring abiotic stresses and related literature is presented in this chapter.