Nutrient therapies: Boosting plant immunity for a sustainable future

Abstract

Abiotic conditions like drought, salt, and severe temperatures, as well as biotic stresses like fungal, bacterial, and viral infections, are progressively reducing plant productivity. The physiological processes of plants are disturbed, immunological signaling is impaired, and infection susceptibility is increased because of these stresses. Recent advances highlight the significant role of plant nutrition in enhancing both innate immunity and stress resilience. Nutrients influence plant defense mechanisms through multiple pathways: strengthening physical barriers like cell walls and cuticles, modulating antioxidant enzyme systems to detoxify reactive oxygen species (ROS), regulating hormonal signals such as salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), and abscisic acid (ABA), and promoting the synthesis of secondary metabolites including phytoalexins and phenolics. Macro- and micronutrientsincluding nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and selenium (Se)serve not only as essential metabolic components but also as signaling agents that trigger or prime defense responses. Moreover, certain nutrients exhibit direct biocidal activity or act as elicitors even in the absence of pathogens. The rhizosphere microbiome is influenced by nutrients, according to emerging research. Nutrients promote interactions with beneficial microorganisms, such as PGPRs and mycorrhizae, which further enhance immunity. A recentreview on nutrient-induced resistance is highlighted in this review, which also highlights nutrient management as a long-term substitute for chemical pesticides. Integrating nutritional techniques into agricultural production systems can improve plant health, increase yield stability, and promote ecologically responsible agriculture, particularly in the face of climate change and soil degradation.