Involvement of Plant Hormones in Cold Stress Tolerance

The adaptation and survival of plants in challenging environments involve changes at the cellular and molecular levels. In particular, cold acclimation that is due to gradual exposure to low nonfreezing temperatures includes structural and morphological modifications, changes in cell membrane composition, and an accumulation of compatible solutes among other cryoprotective compounds. These processes are governed by plant hormones that are also involved in the adaptation to other abiotic and biotic stresses. Also, other hormones not usually associated with the response to stress have been shown to be participated in the plant cold response. Here, we review the latest information regarding the involvement of plant hormones and its cross talk during cold tolerance.