Improving photosynthetic efficiency by modulating non-photochemical quenching.

High light exposure rapidly activates non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), protecting plants from photooxidative damage. Contrarily, its relaxation upon transition to normal light occurs quite slowly, limiting photosynthetic efficiency. De Souza et al.

Seed priming with brassinolides improves growth and reinforces antioxidative defenses under normal and heat stress conditions in seedlings of Brassica juncea.

Environmental stresses pose a major challenge for plant researchers to fulfill increasing food demand. Researchers are trying to generate high-yielding and stress-tolerant or resistant varieties using classical genetics and modern gene-editing tools; however, both approaches have limitations. Chemical treatments emerged as an alternative to improve yield and impart stress resilience.