Light acts as a stressor and influences abiotic and biotic stress responses in plants

Light is important for plants as an energy source and a developmental signal, but it can also cause stress to plants and modulates responses to stress. Excess and fluctuating light result in photoinhibition and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation around photosystems II and I, respectively. Ultraviolet light causes photodamage to DNA and a prolongation of the light period initiates the photoperiod stress syndrome. Changes in light quality and quantity, as well as in light duration are also key factors impacting the outcome of diverse abiotic and biotic stresses. Short day or shady environments enhance thermotolerance and increase cold acclimation. Similarly, shade conditions improve drought stress tolerance in plants. Additionally, the light environment affects the plants' responses to biotic intruders, such as pathogens or insect herbivores, often reducing growth-defence trade-offs. Understanding how plants use light information to modulate stress responses will support breeding strategies to enhance crop stress resilience. This review summarizes the effect of light as a stressor and the impact of the light environment on abiotic and biotic stress responses. There is a special focus on the role of the different light receptors and the crosstalk between light signalling and stress response pathways.

Automated summary

Light is crucial for plants as an energy source and developmental signal, but excessive or fluctuating light can induce photoinhibition and reactive oxygen species accumulation. Changes in light quality, quantity, and duration impact the outcomes of diverse abiotic and biotic stresses, influencing thermotolerance, cold acclimation, drought stress tolerance, and responses to biotic intruders. Understanding how plants utilize light information to modulate stress responses is important for enhancing crop stress resilience through breeding strategies.