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From curse to blessing: sulfur-availability enhances forest resilience?
David Kaufholdt1, Sarah Kistner1, Jakob Rumpel2
1Department of Plant Biology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany.
Abstract:
Sulfur, often regarded as a pollutant, is an essential macronutrient for plant immunity and stress responses in all studied plant families. Declining atmospheric sulfur deposition via pollution-controlling may weaken tree defenses, leading to increased disease vulnerability, especially under increased climate stress. While sulfur is known to enhance crop resilience, its role in forest ecosystems remains poorly understood. Limited field data and challenges in extrapolating from agriculture highlight the need for targeted research. Understanding sulfur's potential to enhance forest health via sulfur-induced resistance could provide new strategies for managing forest stress. In this opinion article we outline sulfur's shifting role in forests, from curse to blessing, and depict the need for targeted, interdisciplinary research to determine its potential contribution to climate resilience.
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