Chapter 1 - Hydrogen sulfide regulates temperature stress in plants

Abstract

Abiotic stress such as temperature stress (high and low temperatures) severely limits vegetative growth and developmental phases of plants. Such exposure of crops to high temperature or chilling stress significantly hampers the growth of plants and therefore is considered extremely detrimental to sustainable productivity. High temperature or chilling stress negatively affects vegetative growth and physiology of plants ultimately leading to a substantial reduction in yield and quality of the produced commodity. Several approaches have been reported for alleviation of temperature stress. The use of exogenous H2S application is one of the effective ways of amelioration of temperature stress in plants. H2S regulates various high and/or chilling-associated responsive genes and helps in the alleviation of temperature stress in a variety of plant species. H2S crosstalks with certain other molecules in the regulation of high- and low-temperature stresses. Exogenous H2S application leads to certain molecular, biochemical, physiological, as well as morphological changes and helps in temperature stress mitigation. Its role in germination, stomatal movement, root elongation, photosynthesis, and growth has also been reported. H2S treatment lessens oxidative damage and activates antioxidant enzymes, thereby protecting the photosystem of the plants, subsequently resulting in sustainable crop production. The current chapter is aimed at summarizing the probably role of H2S in various physiological and biochemical mechanisms during high- and low-temperature stresses in plants.