Background: Exosomes derived from plant embryo cells have emerged as key players in mediating stress responses in plants. This study investigates the functional roles of exosomes from Arabidopsis thaliana embryo cells in enhancing plant tolerance to drought and salinity stress. Understanding these roles could lead to innovative applications in agriculture for improving crop resilience.

Methods: Exosomes were isolated from Arabidopsis thaliana embryo cells using ultracentrifugation. The characterization of exosome cargo included proteomic and lipidomic analyses to identify key molecules involved in stress responses. Plant stress tolerance was assessed through exosome treatment under controlled conditions of drought and salinity. Parameters such as relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll content, and expression levels of stress-responsive genes (DREB1A, RD29A) were measured to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment.

Results: Exosome treatment significantly improved plant tolerance to drought and salinity, evidenced by increased RWC and chlorophyll levels compared to untreated controls. Molecular analysis revealed that exosomes contained bioactive molecules, including small RNAs and stress-related proteins, which were associated with the upregulation of stress-responsive genes. The findings suggest that exosomes enhance stress tolerance by delivering regulatory molecules that activate stress response pathways.

Conclusions: The study highlights the potential of exosomes derived from plant embryo cells to improve plant resilience against environmental stressors. The integration of exosome-based technologies in agriculture could provide a sustainable approach to enhancing crop performance under adverse conditions. Future research should focus on optimizing exosome production and assessing their efficacy in field settings to fully leverage their benefits in agricultural practices.