Living with temperature changes: Salicylic acid at the crossroads of plant immunity and temperature resilience

Abstract

Salicylic acid (SA) is a key defense hormone shaped by temperature. High temperatures suppress, while low temperatures enhance, SA biosynthesis and signaling, thereby influencing plant immunity and temperature resilience. This review synthesizes current understanding of how temperature modulates SA pathways and their cross-talk with other hormones to balance growth and defense. We also propose a conceptual model positioning SA as a central integrator of temperature perception, immune regulation, and hormonal signaling. However, key questions remain: How do plants sense temperature shifts to regulate SA dynamics? How do temperature-induced epigenetic changes in SA pathways contribute to long-term adaptation? And how can these insights inform crop improvement? Addressing these gaps is essential for developing climate-resilient crops.