Opportunities and challenges in mitigating nutrient stress in plants via melatonin-mediated signaling pathways

Abstract

Nutrient stress significantly threatens agricultural productivity, compromising plant growth, development, and yield. In recent years, there has been growing interest in the potential of melatonin-mediated signaling pathways to alleviate nutrient stress and enhance plant resilience. Melatonin exhibits diverse roles in plant physiology, including its participation in regulating several fundamental processes such as photosynthesis, root development, and stress responses. Numerous studies have reported that the exogenous application of melatonin can enhance nutrient uptake efficiency, promote root growth, and improve the overall nutrient status of plants. It has been shown to facilitate the uptake of essential minerals by modulating nutrient transporters and related gene expression. Its ability to regulate nutrient uptake, allocation, and utilization can help alleviate nutrient stress in plants. It was found that melatonin treatment increased the nutrient use efficiency (NUE) by up to 20%, resulting in higher yields and biomass accumulation. This increased NUE was attributed to improved nutrient uptake, translocation, and photosynthetic activity. In addition to increasing NUE, melatonin improved root growth and development, leading to better nutrient uptake. Melatonin, as a signaling molecule, offers promising opportunities for enhancing plant growth, development, and stress tolerance. However, challenges such as understanding the intricate mechanisms of melatonin signaling, optimizing its application methods and ensuring its compatibility with different plant species and environmental conditions need to be addressed. Further research and technological advancements are required to fully harness the benefits of melatonin-mediated signaling pathways in mitigating nutrient stress and improving plant productivity.