Stress-Responsive Mechanisms in Cyanobacteria: Implications for Bioremediation and Crop Enhancement

Abstract

Cyanobacteria, a group of oxygenic photosynthetic prokaryotes, have emerged as pivotal organisms in ecological sustainability due to their remarkable resilience under environmental stress. Found across diverse habitats, they possess the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen and synthesize protective extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in response to abiotic and biotic challenges. This chapter explores the structural classification, stress response mechanisms, and biotechnological roles of cyanobacteria. Special attention is given to their applications in agriculture, including biofertilization, soil enrichment, and crop protection, as well as their role in bioremediation by sequestering toxic metals. The chapter also emphasizes how cyanobacteria's molecular and biochemical strategies, such as ROS signaling, EPS production, and stress protein expression, position them as key contributors to sustainable agriculture and environmental management.