Cuticle Responses to Environmental Stresses
The plant cuticle, a hydrophobic layer covering the aerial surfaces of land plants, plays a crucial role in protecting against environmental stresses while maintaining water balance. Composed primarily of cutin, waxes, and polysaccharides, the cuticle serves as the first barrier against abiotic and biotic stresses, including drought, heat, salinity, UV radiation, and pathogen attack. Stress…