Organic acids: versatile stress-response roles in plants

Area of Science:

• Plant Biology
• Biochemistry
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Organic acids (OAs) are fundamental to cellular metabolism.
• Plants exude OAs at the root-soil interface, aiding mineral uptake and metal tolerance.
• Low-molecular-weight OAs are extensively studied for their simple structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review conventional and emerging roles of OAs in plant stress tolerance.
• To explore the mechanisms of OA biosynthesis, secretion, and regulation under stress.
• To outline transgenic strategies for enhancing OA production and secretion.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of OA functions in plant stress responses.
• Analysis of OA roles as pH modifiers, metal chelators, and microbial carbon sources.
• Discussion of transgenic approaches for OA enhancement.

Main Results:

• OAs demonstrate versatility and efficiency as chelating agents, surpassing amino acids.
• Root OA exudation significantly contributes to soil carbon sequestration.
• OAs possess multiple functions critical for plant stress biology.

Conclusions:

• OAs are vital for plant adaptation to stress, soil health, and climate change mitigation.
• Understanding OA functions is key to leveraging them for sustainable agriculture.
• Further research is needed to fully utilize OAs in plant stress management.