This study investigated the effects of elevated copper levels on the early-stage growth and development of three Arundo donax (giant reed) ecotypes (STM, BL, and ESP) from different climatic zones, focusing on plant morpho-physiological and copper biochemical changes (including root structure, photosynthetic structure, copper accumulation and translocation, soluble protein, and lipid peroxidation). Plants were grown under increasing concentrations of copper (0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg/kg), revealing that copper accumulation was predominantly localized in the roots, with ESP showing the highest at 1829 μg/g, followed by STM (1191 μg/g) and BL (935 μg/g) at 400 mg/kg. While morphological traits like plant height and stem diameter were less affected, root volume decreased significantly at high copper levels (e.g., by 60 % in BL from 10.00 cm³ in control to 4.00 cm³ at 400 mg/kg). Physiological responses varied significantly: photosynthetic pigments increased with moderate copper levels (e.g., chlorophyll a in BL from 31.67 μg/cm² in control to 49.19 μg/cm² at 400 mg/kg) but declined at higher concentrations in ESP. Lipid peroxidation, measured by malondialdehyde (MDA), indicated increased oxidative stress, especially in STM and ESP (e.g., root MDA in STM from 14.22 nmol/g in control to 26.30 nmol/g at 400 mg/kg). These results highlight the ESP ecotype's higher tolerance and copper sequestration capabilities, making it a promising candidate for further studies in copper-stressed environments.

Abiotic stresses including drought, salinity, heat, cold, and heavy metal toxicity severely constrain plant productivity worldwide. Nitrogen (N), beyond its fundamental nutritional role, has emerged as a central regulator of plant stress responses through its involvement in metabolic reprogramming, osmotic adjustment, antioxidant defense, and hormonal signaling. This review synthesizes current advances in understanding how nitrogen availability and form influence plant tolerance to major abiotic stresses. Particular emphasis is placed on nitrogen-mediated modulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging systems, nitrogen–carbon metabolic coordination, phytohormonal crosstalk, osmoprotectant biosynthesis, and regulation of stress-responsive gene expression. Recent molecular insights highlight the role of nitrogen transporters, nitrate signaling pathways, and nitrogen-use efficiency in stress adaptation mechanisms. Furthermore, agronomic and biotechnological strategies aimed at optimizing nitrogen management to enhance stress resilience are discussed, including precision fertilization, integrated nutrient management, and genetic approaches targeting nitrogen-responsive regulatory networks. By integrating physiological, biochemical, and molecular perspectives, this review provides a comprehensive framework for understanding nitrogen-driven mitigation strategies under abiotic stress conditions and outlines future research directions for sustainable crop production in changing environments.

The growing incidence of abiotic stresses ranging from soil salinity and prolonged drought to increasingly frequent temperature extremes continues to challenge global agriculture and jeopardize food security. As these pressures intensify under a changing climate, the demand for resilient crop systems and deeper biological understanding is greater than ever. Over the past decade and a half (2010–2025), women scientists have played a pivotal yet often under-recognized role in advancing plant abiotic stress research. Their contributions span a wide scientific spectrum, from elucidating redox-based signaling networks and stress-responsive physiological pathways to pioneering multi-omics approaches and developing innovative biotechnological tools aimed at improving crop tolerance. This review synthesizes the scientific progress achieved through research efforts led by women as first authors, corresponding authors, or principal investigators, highlighting exemplary studies and emerging themes that have shaped the field. Alongside these accomplishments, the review addresses persistent structural and institutional barriers that limit women’s participation in STEM, particularly within plant sciences, and evaluates global initiatives designed to promote equity and inclusion in research environments. By integrating scientific advances with social and institutional perspectives, the review outlines a strategic roadmap to support and amplify innovation driven by women scientists, including as leaders in research teamsin plant stress biology. Ultimately, fostering gender equity in this discipline is more than an ethical responsibility it is a necessary foundation for building sustainable, climate-resilient agricultural systems for the future.

Green biomass serves as an eco-friendly, plant-derived substitute for conventional protein sources. Leaf protein concentrate (LPC) not only acts as a viable alternative to animal-derived proteins but also contains essential vitamins and bioactive compounds providing nutraceutical advantages. The extraction technique plays a critical role in maximizing LPC yield. In this study, green juice derived from the wet pressing of green triticale biomass was divided into two aliquots, each subjected to distinct processing techniques for LPC isolation. One portion underwent direct thermal coagulation via microwave irradiation, followed by vacuum filtration, yielding green LPC (MW-GLPC) and its brown juice (GJ-BJ). The other was first centrifuged to remove large photosynthetic complexes, producing yellow juice that was subsequently thermally coagulated and vacuum filtered to obtain yellow LPC (YLPC) and its brown juice (YJ-BJ).The crude protein content in the MW-GLPC fraction (38.44 g 100 g−1 DW) was higher than the raw green juice (16.38 g 100 g−1 DW). YLPC fraction, obtained by incorporating a centrifugation step into the process, resulted in a significantly increase in crude protein (67.22 g 100 g−1 DW). For fractions of brown juice (BJ), the crude protein content differed depending on the processing technique, with GJ-BJ exhibiting 0.73 g 100 g−1 FW and YJ-BJ displaying 1.06 g 100 g−1 FW. Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) indicated that BJ primarily contained oligopeptides ranging from 200 to 3000 Da.Phytochemical assessments demonstrated that YLPC exhibits the highest concentration of some beneficial bioactive compounds, such as luteolin (27.2 μg g−1), and isovitexin (111.6 μg g−1). These findings are consistent with results obtained from the Drosophila melanogaster model under high-sugar conditions designed to simulate high-sugar-induced stress. Flies supplemented with a concentration of 20% YLPC demonstrated a 10.52% increase in viability relative to the control group, thereby indicating the beneficial potential of YLPC in high-sugar containing environments.