In the field of plant science, waterlogging emerges as a significant barrier to plant growth, inciting profound changes in soil oxygen levels. When plants are subjected to waterlogged conditions, they endure a stressful environment characterized by hypoxia (oxygen deficiency) or anoxia (complete absence of oxygen). This oxygen-limited environment forces a metabolic shift from aerobic respiration to anaerobic fermentation, drastically compromising plant growth, development, and survival. Physiologically, waterlogging leads to reduced stomatal conductance, diminished net CO₂-assimilation rates, and decreased root hydraulic conductivity, while simultaneously inducing oxidative stress through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These ROS compromise membrane integrity and inflict damage on photosystem II, resulting in notably reduced net photosynthetic rates. Although plants exhibit varying responses to oxygen deficiency based on species, a majority are severely impacted. Notably, there remains a pressing need to comprehend the physiological, biochemical, and molecular modifications resulting from oxygen deficiency, and how plants adapt to hypoxic and anoxic conditions.

This Research Topic aims to shed light on the pivotal morphological, physiological, and biochemical adaptations enabling plants to endure flooding stress. It explores the impact of hypoxia and anoxia on plants at various growth stages, elucidating the molecular pathways that mediate low oxygen responses. Furthermore, it investigates the screening of germplasm tolerant to oxygen deficiency and examines genes that confer tolerance in diverse plant species. Additionally, the beneficial effects of exogenous applications of nutrients and plant growth regulators (PGRs) on mitigating the adverse effects of waterlogging will be considered.

To gather further insights into the adaptations of plants under waterlogged conditions, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Waterlogging and roots: Oxygen deficiency, root growth, development, and nutrient uptake

• Waterlogging stress signals, the N-end rule pathway (NERP), ROS and RNS production, and ROS damage

• Morphological, physiological, and metabolic modifications in response to waterlogging

• Root hypoxia tolerance: Submergence sensing, oxygen sensing and signaling, PGRs, and signaling mechanisms

• Adaptive metabolic responses to waterlogged environments

• Specialized roots responses and metabolic adaptations to waterlogged conditions

We invite comprehensive reviews, original research articles, and case studies contributing to our understanding of how plants adapt morphologically, physiologically, and molecularly to waterlogged environments. Interdisciplinary approaches and innovative methodologies are especially encouraged.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

Waterlogging and Hypoxia in Plant Abiotic Stress