Epigenetic Regulation of Stress Response in Plants in Algeria

Abstract

Algeria faces increasing climate stress, particularly drought and salinity, which threaten staple crops including durum wheat, olive and date palm. Epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation, histone modifications and small RNAs regulate plant responses to abiotic stress and can produce short term and sometimes heritable stress memory. This paper presents a research study designed to (1) map epigenetic changes associated with drought and salinity in Algerian field populations of key crops, (2) identify candidate loci and regulatory networks linked to stress tolerance, and (3) test whether stress-induced epigenetic states contribute to phenotypic resilience across generations. The study combines field sampling across Algeria’s agroecological zones with controlled stress assays, whole genome bisulfite sequencing, ChIP-seq for selected histone marks, small RNA profiling, gene expression analysis, and targeted validation using methylation-sensitive PCR and CRISPR/dCas9-based epigenome editing. Results will provide mechanistic insight and practical biomarkers to support breeding and management strategies for climate-resilient agriculture in Algeria.