Article

Plants, as sessile organisms, are continuously exposed to diverse abiotic stresses (e.g., drought, salinity, and extreme temperatures) and biotic challenges that compromise growth and global food security. To withstand these pressures, plants have evolved highly coordinated stress perception and signaling networks that integrate local and systemic responses. This review analyzes the recent advances in understanding stress sensing, signal transduction, and whole-plant adaptive mechanisms. Central components of these networks include phytohormones (ABA, SA, JA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), Ca²⁺ fluxes, electrical signals, and hydraulic waves, which collectively mediate rapid long-distance communication and systemic acquired acclimation. Strong interaction between these signaling pathways helps plants carefully regulate their responses to both single and combined stresses, often leading to different physiological outcomes. Furthermore, stress priming and memory contribute to enhanced resilience in subsequent exposures. Elucidating these integrated signaling frameworks provides a mechanistic basis for developing climate-resilient crops through genome editing and multi-omics strategies.