Small peptides play a key role as messengers in plant growth, development and abiotic stress resistance

Against the backdrop of global environmental change, plant growth and development face multiple challenges, and a range of abiotic stresses seriously affect their normal growth. In recent years, plant small peptides (SPs)-widely defined as peptides of fewer than 100 amino acids-have emerged as important signaling molecules at the forefront of stress response strategies, playing a key role in regulating plant growth, development, and stress adaptation. This paper reviews the classification of small peptides and their effects on plant growth and development, with a particular focus on the dynamic changes and regulatory mechanisms of various small peptide families under abiotic stress. Studies have shown that small peptides regulate root development, promote cell division and growth, and control reproductive development by participating in intercellular communication, hormone signaling, and stress response networks. The aim of the review is to summarize recent advances in the understanding of SPs in plant growth and development as well as in responses to abiotic stress. We also discuss future research directions concerning the application of these molecules in crop improvement and the enhancement of environmental resilience, thereby providing a theoretical foundation for the elucidation of stress tolerance mechanisms and the breeding of stress-resistant crop varieties.