Recent Advances in the Role of Nitric Oxide and Cross-Talk with Signalling Molecules Under Environmental Stress in Plants

Nitric oxide (NO) plays a crucial role as a signalling molecule in coordinating the plant’s response to various stressors. The intricate role of nitric oxide (NO) and its cross-talk with other signalling molecules under environmental stress conditions has been emphasised in recent advancements in plant physiology and molecular biology. Nitric oxide (NO), frequently functioning as a signalling molecule, is crucial in regulating various physiological processes, including stomatal closure, photosynthesis, antioxidant defence, and programmed cell death. Consequently, NO plays a significant role in modulating the plant’s adaptive responses to stress. Moreover, recent findings indicate a substantial interplay between nitric oxide (NO) and various signalling molecules, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), phytohormones (e.g., abscisic acid, salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, and ethylene), calcium ions, and secondary messengers like cyclic nucleotides. The complex interactions described above play a significant role in adjusting plant stress responses, allowing plants to develop a suitable defence mechanism customised to the particular environmental obstacle. Comprehending the molecular mechanisms that underlie signalling pathways mediated by nitric oxide (NO) and their interplay with other signalling molecules is of utmost importance in developing stress-tolerant crops that exhibit enhanced resilience to unfavourable environmental circumstances. Furthermore, investigating the regulatory networks associated with nitric oxide (NO) in stress responses shows potential for developing innovative approaches to promote sustainable agriculture and effectively manage ecological systems in the context of climate change. This chapter focuses on recent progress in understanding the function of nitric oxide and its complex interactions with signalling molecules in plants experiencing environmental stress. Future research must investigate the intricacies of signalling networks mediated by nitric oxide (NO) to fully exploit the capabilities of plant stress tolerance mechanisms and guarantee global food security in the face of evolving environmental conditions.