Chapter 5 - Genomics and Epigenetics of Plant Abiotic Stress

Abstract

Globally, crop productivity is severely affected by unpredictable environmental changes. With increasing population pressure and dwindling natural resources, knowledge-driven efforts have become necessary to develop innovative solutions for food security and sustainable agriculture. In recognition of this, the focus of international research has been on curtailing yield losses through building “resilience,” whether through traditional breeding or transgenic approaches. Extensive characterization of plants stress response machinery has provided many valuable insights on key regulatory mechanisms. The next challenge is to devise strategies for producing stable, superior performing lines capable of tolerating multistress environment, in which genomics and epigenetics are poised to play a key role. As our understanding of multistress responses and stress-associated epigenetic mechanisms improves, major efforts are underway to realize the “lab to land” translation of stress tolerance associated yield gains through climate-smart crops.