title: Plant Responses to Simultaneous Biotic and Abiotic Stress: Molecular Mechanisms.
abstract: Plants are constantly confronted to both abiotic and biotic stresses that seriously reduce their productivity. Plant responses to these stresses are complex and involve numerous physiological, molecular, and cellular adaptations. Recent evidence shows that a combination of abiotic and biotic stress can have a positive effect on plant performance by reducing the susceptibility to biotic stress. Such an interaction between both types of stress points to a crosstalk between their respective signaling pathways. This crosstalk may be synergistic and/or antagonistic and include among others the involvement of phytohormones, transcription factors, kinase cascades, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). In certain cases, such crosstalk can lead to a cross-tolerance and enhancement of a plant's resistance against pathogens. This review aims at giving an insight into cross-tolerance between abiotic and biotic stress, focusing on the molecular level and regulatory pathways.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sciences, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile Argand 11, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland. ines.benrejeb@unine.ch.
authors.forename: Ines Ben
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Rejeb
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sciences, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile Argand 11, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland. victoria.pastor@unine.ch.
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pastor
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sciences, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile Argand 11, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland. brigitte.mauch@unine.ch.
authors.forename: Brigitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mauch-Mani
keywords: abiotic stress; biotic stress; cross-tolerance; plant hormones