Recent strategies for mitigating salinity stress in plants: A review of exogenous compound applications
Keywords:
Salinity stress, exogenous compounds, phytohormones, antioxidants, nanoparticlesAbstract
Soil salinity is a major abiotic stress that severely limits plant growth, development, and agricultural productivity worldwide. This review summarizes recent progress in alleviating salinity stress through the external application of various compounds, including phytohormones, organic and inorganic small molecules, and nanoparticles. The application of exogenous compounds to various crop species and experimental systems consistently improves plant salt tolerance by activating convergent physiological and molecular mechanisms: (1) activation of enzyme and non-enzymatic antioxidant defense systems, reducing the ROS and MDA content; (2) maintaining ion homeostasis by limiting Na⁺ accumulation and enhancing K⁺ and Ca²⁺ uptake; (3) inducing the osmolytes; and (4) modulating the stress-responsive gene expression and hormonal crosstalk. Effectiveness depends on compound concentration, application method (seed priming, foliar spray, root absorption), plant species, and salinity severity. Synergistic combinations are often applied to enhance plant tolerance under salt stress. Future research priorities include the omics approach of regulatory networks, gene editing to validate target genes, and long-term environmental safety assessments. Practical applications provide accessible, low-cost strategies to sustain crop productivity in salt-affected regions.
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