Institution: | (1) Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan;(2) Present address: Gene Discovery Research Group, RIKEN Plant Science Center, 3-1-1 Kouyadai, Tsukuba Ibaraki, 305-0074, Japan;(3) Agri-Biotechnology Research Laboratory, Nippon Paper Industries Co. Ltd., 5-21-1 Oji, Kita-ku, Tokyo 114-0002, Japan;(4) Forestry Research Institute, Oji Paper Co. Ltd., 24-9 Nobono-cho, Kameyama, Mie 519-0212, Japan;(5) Institute for Environmental Science and Technology, Saitama University, 225 Shimo-ohkubo, Sakura-ku, Saitama Saitama, 338-8570, Japan |
Abstract: | Environmental stresses have adverse effects on plant growth and productivity, and are predicted to become more severe and
widespread in decades to come. Especially, prolonged and repeated severe stresses affecting growth and development would bring
down long-lasting effects in woody plants as a result of its long-term growth period. To counteract these effects, trees have
evolved specific mechanisms for acclimation and tolerance to environmental stresses. Plant growth and development are regulated
by the integration of many environmental and endogenous signals including plant hormones. Acclimation of land plants to environmental
stresses is controlled by molecular cascades, also involving cross-talk with other stresses and plant hormone signaling mechanisms.
This review focuses on recent studies on molecular mechanisms of abiotic stress responses in woody plants, functions of plant
hormones in wood formation, and the interconnection of cell wall biosynthesis and the mechanisms shown above. Understanding
of these mechanisms in depth should shed light on the factors for improvement of woody plants to overcome severe environmental
stress conditions. |