Tree Genetics and Molecular Breeding 2024, Vol.14, No.2, 57-68 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/tgmb 57 Review Article Open Access Tree Stress Resistance Code: Comprehensive Analysis and Future Prospects of Drought, Salt, and Cold Resistance Genes Kaiwen Liang Hainan Institute of Tropical Agricultural Resources, Sanya, 572025, Hainan, China Corresponding email: kaiwen.liang@hitar.org Tree Genetics and Molecular Breeding, 2024, Vol.14, No.2 doi: 10.5376/tgmb.2024.14.0007 Received: 25 Jan., 2024 Accepted: 28 Feb., 2024 Published: 10 Mar., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Liang, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Liang K.W., 2024, Tree stress resistance code: comprehensive analysis and future prospects of drought, salt, and cold resistance genes, Tree Genetics and Molecular Breeding, 14(2): 57-68 (doi: 10.5376/tgmb.2024.14.0007) Abstract In the context of global climate change and environmental degradation, research on tree stress resistance has become particularly important. As a key component of the ecosystem, the response of trees to abiotic stresses (such as drought, salinity, and cold) directly affects forest health, carbon sequestration, and ecological balance. This study aims to analyze and synthesize the current knowledge on the genetic basis of tree responses to abiotic stresses, focusing on key resistance genes involved in drought, salt, and cold resistance. Case studies highlight the technological advances in genetic adaptation and stress resistance research. This will not only help understand the physiological and biochemical adaptation mechanisms of trees in the face of environmental stresses, but also provide technical guidance and methodological references for future stress resistance research. Keywords Tree stress tolerance; Abiotic stress; Genetic mechanism; Drought resistance; Genetic engineering 1 Introduction Understanding stress resistance in trees is crucial for environmental sustainability, particularly in the face of climate change. Trees play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance, providing habitat, and supporting biodiversity. However, abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, and cold significantly impact tree growth and survival, thereby affecting forest ecosystems and the services they provide. Enhancing the stress resistance of trees can lead to more resilient forests, which are better equipped to withstand environmental changes and continue to provide essential ecosystem services (Pretzsch et al., 2013; Polle et al., 2019; Bhusal et al., 2021). Studying tree responses to abiotic stresses presents several challenges. One major challenge is the complexity of stress responses, which involve intricate networks of genes and signaling pathways. For instance, drought and salinity stress responses in trees involve multiple genes and regulatory networks that are not yet fully understood (Benny et al., 2020; Bano et al., 2022). Additionally, the variability in stress responses among different tree species and even within species complicates the identification of universal resistance mechanisms (Zhang et al., 2020; Yousefi et al., 2022). Field studies are also limited, making it difficult to translate laboratory findings into practical applications for forest management (Polle et al., 2019). Moreover, trees often face multiple stresses simultaneously, which can interact in unpredictable ways, further complicating the study of stress resistance (Jia et al., 2016). The primary objective of this systematic study is to analyze and synthesize information on key resistance genes involved in drought, salt, and cold stress in trees. By integrating findings from various studies, this study aims to identify common and unique genetic mechanisms that confer resistance to these abiotic stresses. This comprehensive analysis will provide insights into the molecular basis of stress resistance, highlight potential targets for genetic improvement, and suggest future research directions to enhance the resilience of forest trees. 2 Genetic Basis of Stress Resistance in Trees 2.1 Overview of genetic mechanisms underpinning resistance traits The genetic mechanisms that underpin stress resistance in trees are multifaceted and involve a complex interplay of various genes and regulatory networks. Trees have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to cope with abiotic stresses such as drought, salt, and cold, which are critical for their survival and productivity. These mechanisms
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