THE REGULATORY ROLE OF PLANT HORMONES IN ENHANCING ABIOTIC STRESS TOLERANCE MECHANISMS IN FOOD AND MEDICINAL CROPS

Abstract

Abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, and heat remain significant constraints on global agricultural productivity, affecting food security and sustainability. Recent advances have emphasized the regulatory role of phytohormones in enhancing plant stress tolerance by orchestrating complex physiological and molecular responses.The aim of this study was to investigate the regulatory functions of phytohormones and their crosstalk in conferring drought, salinity, and heat stress tolerance in food and medicinal crops. The research specifically focused on understanding the roles of classical hormones, including abscisic acid (ABA), ethylene, auxins, and gibberellins, alongside newer regulators such as jasmonic acid, salicylic acid, and melatonin.A qualitative methodology was adopted, combining thematic analysis of peer-reviewed studies, semi-structured expert interviews, and document analysis. Data were systematically analyzed to identify recurring mechanisms, including stomatal closure, osmotic adjustment, antioxidant enzyme activation, and transcriptional regulation.Results indicated that ABA regulated osmotic balance and water use efficiency, ethylene induced heat shock proteins to stabilize proteins, and brassinosteroids enhanced thermotolerance through antioxidant activation.

Melatonin was identified as a novel hormone-like molecule with synergistic roles in photosynthetic maintenance and oxidative damage reduction under salinity and heavy metal stress.The study concluded that hormonal regulation is central to plant adaptation under abiotic stress, and its integration with modern breeding and biotechnology could enhance crop resilience. It is recommended that future research adopt multi-hormonal strategies and field-based trials to validate laboratory findings.