Climate change is reshaping agricultural ecosystems by intensifying heat, drought, salinity, flooding, nutrient imbalance, and other environmental stresses while simultaneously altering the distribution and severity of plant pathogens, pests, and competing organisms. Plant Stress Biology in a Warming World: Synergies in Abiotic and Biotic Adaptation provides a comprehensive overview of how plants perceive, respond to, and adapt to the increasingly complex combination of abiotic and biotic stresses associated with a warming climate.
The book explores the physiological, biochemical, molecular, genetic, and ecological mechanisms that enable plants to maintain growth, development, productivity, and survival under stressful conditions. Particular emphasis is placed on the interactions between abiotic factors, such as elevated temperature, water deficit, salinity, oxidative stress, and nutrient limitation, and biotic challenges caused by pathogens, insects, and other harmful organisms. Rather than considering these stresses independently, the volume highlights their cross-talk, shared signalling pathways, metabolic adjustments, hormonal regulation, and defence responses.
Advances in genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, phenomics, gene editing, plant–microbe interactions, and modern breeding approaches are discussed in the context of developing climate-resilient crops. The book also examines the potential roles of beneficial microorganisms, sustainable crop management practices, and emerging biotechnological strategies in improving plant tolerance to multiple stresses.
Designed for researchers, postgraduate students, academics, plant breeders, biotechnologists, and agricultural professionals, this volume bridges fundamental plant stress biology with practical applications. By integrating current understanding of abiotic and biotic stress adaptation, it aims to support the development of resilient cropping systems capable of sustaining agricultural productivity, food security, and environmental sustainability under present and future climate-change scenarios.
