Effect of Mineral Nutrition and PGRs on Biosynthesis and Distribution of Secondary Plant Metabolites under Abiotic Stress

Secondary plant metabolites are necessary for the survival of plants and help to establish interactions between plants and environment. They constitute an important part of the plant’s defense mechanism against pathogenic attacks and environmental stresses, in addition to providing a valuable range of natural products. Plants being sessile in nature safeguard themselves from severe conditions around them by means of bioactive compounds produced as secondary metabolites. These metabolites serve as a deterrent to herbivores, provide a barrier against pathogen invasion, and reduce oxidative stress during stressful situations. The accumulation of these metabolites increases under environmental stress, such as soil water, minerals, temperature, salinity, light, humidity, air pollutants, heavy metals and frost, among others. Changes in the nutritional and hormonal status regulate the secondary metabolites production in plants. This article examines how the mineral nutrient elements and plant hormones influence the accumulation of secondary metabolites in plants under abiotic stress conditions.