Jasmonates as Emerging Regulators of Plants Response to Variable Nutrient Environment

Jasmonates (JAs) are known for their roles in plant defense and growth regulation. In recent years their roles in nutrient uptake and homeostasis have been explored. Regulation of nutrients uptake is crucial to maintain their optimum level in normal and deficient conditions. Under the deficiency of different nutrients, plants show unique responses like altered root growth, remodeling of root system architecture (RSA), induction of nutrient uptake-related genes, activation of nutrient transporters, and nutrient reallocation. JAs have been shown to regulate these responses in the variable availability of macro-and micronutrients. Emerging evidences revealed that in response to deficiency of macronutrients, such as nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium (K+), JA biosynthesis pathway is activated. JA signaling pathway has been implicated in regulating nutrient deficiency-related transcription factors, transporters, and various facets of RSA for optimum plant development. In addition, JA pathway cross-talks with other phytohormones like auxin and ethylene for improving plant growth and adaptive response under nutrient deficiencies. In this review, emerging evidences and the latest developments on involvements of JAs in macro- and micronutrient uptakes, homeostasis, deficiency response, and plant development are discussed.