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Updated: Dec 9, 2025
11:01
Monitoring Plant Hormones During Stress Responses
Published on: June 15, 2009
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Hormesis in plants: Physiological and biochemical responses
Arshad Jalal1, José Carlos de Oliveira Junior1, Janaína Santos Ribeiro1
1São Paulo State University "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" (UNESP), Postal Code 15385-000, Ilha Solteira, SP, Brazil.
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
|September 11, 2020
Summary
Hormesis, a beneficial response to low-level stressors, enhances crop productivity. This review explores how herbicides like glyphosate and biostimulants can be used to induce hormesis, improving plant growth and stress resilience.
Area of Science:
- Plant Physiology
- Agricultural Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Hormesis is a biological phenomenon where low-dose exposures to stressors yield beneficial effects.
- Increased crop productivity is a key goal in agriculture, and hormesis offers a potential strategy.
- Understanding the physiological basis of hormesis in plants is crucial for its application.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the physiological mechanisms underlying hormesis induction in plants.
- To explore the role of specific herbicides (glyphosate, 2,4-D, paraquat) and biostimulants in plant hormesis.
- To highlight the potential of hormesis for enhancing crop productivity and stress tolerance.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on plant hormesis.
- Analysis of the physiological effects of herbicides and biostimulants on plant growth.
- Examination of signaling pathways involving reactive oxygen species (ROS) and hydrogen peroxide.
Main Results:
- Glyphosate, by influencing the shikimic acid pathway and lignin synthesis, shows promise for promoting hormesis and improving crop yield.
- Biostimulants can modulate secondary metabolism and ROS production, contributing to hormetic effects.
- Hydrogen peroxide acts as a signaling molecule, enhancing cell wall malleability and water transport for cell expansion.
Conclusions:
- Hormesis offers a viable approach to increase crop productivity and resilience to abiotic stresses.
- Further research is needed to determine optimal application doses for various herbicides and crops.
- Harnessing hormetic responses can lead to significant advancements in agricultural output and reduced economic losses.
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