Epigenetics for Combating Heat Stress in Plants: Updated Methods and Current Achievements

Abstract

This chapter examines recent advances in epigenetic research aimed at understanding and improving plant responses to heat stress. Rising temperatures due to climate change pose a serious threat to global crop yields by causing heat stress, which can severely damage plants. This stress limits crop productivity, especially during critical growth phases. Epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA interference, play a crucial role in plants’ ability to survive abiotic stress by creating a stress memory that is transmitted to subsequent generations. This chapter explores these mechanisms and their impact on plant resistance to heat stress. It also presents recent methods and current achievements in mitigating heat stress in plants, highlighting the importance of epigenetic regulation. Finally, it offers insights into developing heat-tolerant crops, which are essential for maintaining and improving agricultural productivity in the context of climate change.