TY  - EJOU
AU  - Stylianidis, Georgios P. 
AU  - Pantazopoulou, Chrysoula K. 
AU  - Chorianopoulou, Styliani N. 
AU  - Bouranis, Dimitris L. 

TI  - Decoding C:N:S:Fe Stoichiometry in Plant Acclimation to Environmental Stress—Mechanisms, Trade-offs, and Future Challenges
T2  - Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany

PY  - 
VL  - 
IS  - 
SN  - 1851-5657

AB  - Cellular carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) metabolisms are tightly coordinated towards sustaining optimal growth and development for plants. C:N ratio is well-studied. Research results highlight strong interest in C:N dynamics in crops, especially in relation to soil health, crop production, as well as nutrient cycling. However, the C:N:S (sulfur) stoichiometry within plant tissues is under-reviewed. This lack of research persists despite the critical importance of the C:N:S elemental nexus for nutrient use efficiency, stress physiology, yield quality, and sustainable fertilization. Thus, the biochemical integration of C, N, and S and the corresponding homeostases are discussed. Moreover, the C:N:S:Fe (iron) elemental nexus appears to possess strategic contribution, given the close functional relationship between S and Fe. This interaction is increasingly vital as environmental stressors, particularly nutrient imbalances and climate instability become urgent challenges in crop physiology. Moreover, erratic weather patterns alter nutrient availability and uptake, plant metabolism, and stoichiometric homeostasis. Consequently, we highlight the central role of C:N:S:Fe elemental nexus in maintaining crop performance under climate instability and discuss how plants integrate C, N, S, and Fe responses to environmental stressors.
KW  - Stoichiometry; iron; sulfur; environmental stressors; acclimation processes; climate change; nutrient imbalances

DO  - 10.32604/phyton.2026.085051