Genetics and Evolution of Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Plants

This reprint represents a wide vision of what and how the research on plants at molecular level (genetics, genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and so on) contribute to a good equilibrium among human needs, food security, and future strategies for mitigating the effects of global climate changes. Now more than ever, understanding the genetics and evolution of the gene mechanisms and the networks of different molecular pathways acting on plant abiotic stress tolerance has an important role to find new solutions for modern agricultural problems. Scientists have the relevant task of increasing knowledge in the complex area of plant genetics and genomics, the genes responsive to specific abiotic stresses (such as drought, salts, or heat) and their inducible promoters, and various gene expression control and modulation mechanisms, including alternative splicing, micro-RNA interference, post-transcriptional mRNA decay, and post-translational protein degradation. At the same time, evolution has played a key role in the establishment of the current traits, so that major insights into the genetic diversity producing different alleles, adaptation, phylogenesis, and evolution of genomes and gene families can be translated and applied as tools for developing new tolerant plant varieties capable of satisfying the needs in terms of food security, protection of the planet, and conservation and recovery of natural resources such as water and soils. This reprint is full of technical and specialized terms and, for this reason, it is addressed to scientists and students trained in plant functional genomics, breeding, agronomy, and genetics. It seems an exciting virtual tour through plant molecular responses to various environmental stresses and new ideas and applications will be derived. I wish to thank all colleagues and authors who contributed with their valuable work to the success of this Special Issue, submitting their articles, up to the publishing the present reprint. Furthermore, I wish to thank the MDPI Editorial group and the Genes editorial officers for their constant help and presence along all period dedicated to this Special Issue.