Responses of Vegetables to Abiotic and Biotic Stresses
Moomal Bharadwaj *
Agriculture University, Kota, Rajasthan, India.
Gunjan Sanadhya
Agriculture University, Kota, Rajasthan, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The postharvest period is critical for preserving the quality and shelf life of vegetables. Horticultural produce, especially fruits and vegetables, is frequently subjected to various abiotic and biotic stresses throughout production, harvesting, handling, storage, and distribution. These stressors provoke a chain of morphological, physiological, biochemical, and molecular alterations that can negatively influence crop quality and longevity. Interestingly, mild or controlled exposure to stress can sometimes enhance the plant’s resistance mechanisms and improve tolerance to subsequent stresses. This review summarizes the physiological and molecular responses of vegetables to these stresses, highlights recent advancements in postharvest handling technologies, and discusses strategies for mitigating quality loss.
Keywords: Plant diseases, host-pathogen interactions, receptors, cell surface, signal transduction