Editorial: Insights into the molecular dynamics of stress physiology in allium crops

nderstanding stress physiology and molecular response mechanisms in plants is essential for improving crop production and quality, particularly under environmental stress. The genus Allium comprises some of the most economically and nutritionally important vegetable crops worldwide, including onion (Allium cepa L.), garlic (Allium sativum L.), and Welsh onion (Allium fistulosum L.) (Griffiths et al., 2002; Brewster, 2008). Despite their global cultivation, Allium crops are highly susceptible to a wide range of biotic (diseases, pests, and viruses) and abiotic (drought, salinity, waterlogging, temperature extremes, and nutrient deficiencies) stresses that affect growth, yield, storage quality, and market stability (Kale et al.). With climate change and global warming, intensifying salinity, erratic rainfall, flooding events, and pathogen pressure, understanding the molecular and physiological bases of stress resilience in Allium species has become increasingly important (Chaudhry et al., 2023). This Research Topic assembles five contributions that collectively advance our understanding of stress perception, metabolic regulation, defense mechanisms, disease ecology, and physiological disorders in Allium crops. Together, these studies illustrate that stress responses in Allium are multilayered, dynamic, and interconnected across molecular, physiological, and ecological scales. The findings are essential for cultivation programs and sustainable agriculture to improve crop production and quality.