Safeguarding food security: Hormesis-based plant priming to the rescue

Abstract

Accumulating evidence suggests that the biphasic phenomenon of hormesis may provide the means for ensuring agricultural sustainability in changing climate scenarios. The adaptive responses induced in plants exposed to hormetic, low doses of various stressors can result in enhanced tolerance upon their subsequent exposure to adverse environmental stimuli. Hormesis-based priming is highly generalizable, as it can be induced by a series of effectors applied at different growth stages in a plethora of plant species. This review aims at highlighting the most promising hormesis-based priming approaches, based on natural as well as artificial environmental factors, including chemicals, radiation, and nanomaterials. Furthermore, we discuss research gaps, future perspectives and recommended actions for reaching specific milestones in the roadmap for achieving the target of commercializing the benefits of this platform, in order to secure agricultural sustainability.