Antioxidant responses of wheat plants under stress

Currently, food security depends on the increased production of cereals such as wheat(Triticum aestivum L.), which is an important source of caloriesand protein for humans. However, cells of the crop have suffered from theaccumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can cause severe oxidativedamage to the plants, due to environmental stresses. ROS are toxic molecules found invarious subcellular compartments. The equilibrium between the production anddetoxification of ROS is sustained by enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants. In thepresent review, we offer a brief summary of antioxidant defense and hydrogen peroxide(H₂O₂) signaling in wheat plants. Wheat plants increaseantioxidant defense mechanisms under abiotic stresses, such as drought, cold, heat,salinity and UV-B radiation, to alleviate oxidative damage. Moreover,H₂O₂ signaling is an important factor contributing to stresstolerance in cereals.