Review and future prospects on the impact of abiotic stresses and tolerance strategies in medicinal and aromatic plants

Abstract

The importance of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) for humans has been recognized since ancient times for treating diseases of themselves and animals based on their traditional knowledge. In the past few decades, the requirement for medicinal plants has increased and resulted in their increased cultivation. However, different biotic and abiotic stresses significantly affect the growth and production of medicinal plants. Abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, heavy metals, and cold are the primary constraints on plant biomass production and, consequently, their considerable metabolite production. Under unfavorable conditions, medicinal plants exhibit and adapt various responses at the physiological and molecular level to overcome these stresses, and it is essential to understand these responsive mechanisms to overcome the issue. This article presents data on some indigenous medicinal plants and their responses to anticipated global climate change conditions. Furthermore, applications of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs), arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), Serendipita (Piriformospora) indica, phytohormones, and nanoparticles have been summarized to overcome the impact of abiotic stress on plants in sustainable manner.