Utilization of Metabolomics for Improving Plant Abiotic Stress Tolerance.

Metabolomics is a powerful tool for the unraveling metabolic pathways and metabolites involved in plant defense against abiotic stress. Hundreds of metabolites and complicated metabolic pathways or networks have been discovered in the past two decades through metabolic profiling, which provide invaluable information on the mechanisms of plant tolerance to various stresses. However, how metabolomics may be utilized for improving plant stress tolerance through incorporating in genetic improvement or modification or exogenous use of metabolites in cultural practices managing stress tolerance deserves further exploration. This presentation will overview recent advances in metabolic pathways and metabolites involved in plant defense against abiotic stress, such as heat, drought, and salinity, and utilization of metabolites identified through metabolic for improving plant tolerance to heat, drought, and salinity stress, with emphasize on grass species.